tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61563817361728538632024-03-13T09:19:46.128-07:00food addicts anonymousjamesbluntknifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01611941733334322792noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156381736172853863.post-39761892978728945102009-04-21T17:26:00.000-07:002009-04-21T17:54:02.943-07:00Arepas!No photos this time (to be honest, after making them i gorged on the and my flatmates helped out, so no time to take pics...).<br /><br />ingredients:<br />300 ml warm water<br />1/4 teaspoon salt (i added more, but i love salt. my doctors don't like this fact).<br />225g <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">masa</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">harina</span> flour<br />100g <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">manchego</span> (can use generic cheese if you prefer).<br />oil for frying.<br /><br />these are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">incredibly</span> simple to make, even for a slacker like me.<br /><br />mix salt and flour together. slowly add water, kneading with hands until you get a thick dough. you have to get a bit dirty. then add the cheese. heat the oil, and pan fry for a few (3 or so) minutes each side. (and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">don't</span> set off <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">fire alarm</span> like i did)<br /><br />and that's it!<br /><br />i served mine with some fresh cherry tomatoes from my mother's garden <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">that</span> were a great addition. another alternative is to make a hole <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">in the</span> middle and crack an egg into it. if you choose to do this, cook them for 2 minutes each side to have a crust form, and then make the hole before putting in the egg, and then put them back in the pan for 2 minutes each side.<br /><br />if anybody has any other suggestions <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">i'd</span> love to hear them. turns out <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">i've</span> rekindled my love affair with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">masa</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">harina</span> all over again!jamesbluntknifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01611941733334322792noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156381736172853863.post-13298471193395319102009-04-06T16:30:00.000-07:002009-04-06T16:44:43.295-07:00exercise of the week<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0A0dCsvqbrgHT0vvbFx-PxjohXctYNtrX-VXKk2AfUGMSb4RQfkMVyBpNzSVJXJpkY-yMzkN4Zu2mcgw2YrYnk65dyItFmLN9KhyphenhyphenaBY2GWAhUfm6_BNBFhhjRPeu0Kw8l2e29zjNWj4q/s1600-h/zottmancurl2s.jpg"></a>ok, this is something nice to try. it's fun, and feels good. it's the zottman curl.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0A0dCsvqbrgHT0vvbFx-PxjohXctYNtrX-VXKk2AfUGMSb4RQfkMVyBpNzSVJXJpkY-yMzkN4Zu2mcgw2YrYnk65dyItFmLN9KhyphenhyphenaBY2GWAhUfm6_BNBFhhjRPeu0Kw8l2e29zjNWj4q/s1600-h/zottmancurl2s.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 167px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0A0dCsvqbrgHT0vvbFx-PxjohXctYNtrX-VXKk2AfUGMSb4RQfkMVyBpNzSVJXJpkY-yMzkN4Zu2mcgw2YrYnk65dyItFmLN9KhyphenhyphenaBY2GWAhUfm6_BNBFhhjRPeu0Kw8l2e29zjNWj4q/s320/zottmancurl2s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321727267549490482" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TlWl-S5_hPvQNAzxhiCH2ZbT5QIgKl3xVLpw820vPy89sSTBNNciK4ffM1Owr9rcDX0Doi4gBY6F53SitbQJ7iWlW9Tmcy1SXkUNt0vcfSotlfZZtISTUiCVoeJle3MJCBXFW3djJbjK/s1600-h/zottmancurl1s.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 169px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TlWl-S5_hPvQNAzxhiCH2ZbT5QIgKl3xVLpw820vPy89sSTBNNciK4ffM1Owr9rcDX0Doi4gBY6F53SitbQJ7iWlW9Tmcy1SXkUNt0vcfSotlfZZtISTUiCVoeJle3MJCBXFW3djJbjK/s320/zottmancurl1s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321727268273127698" border="0" /></a></div> <!-- google_ad_section_end (name=s1) --> <!-- google_ad_section_start (name=s2 weight=.3) --> <p>1. Standing up, grab some dumbbells with a palms-up grip.</p> <p>2. Keeping your elbows pinned to your sides, simultaneously curl both dumbbells.</p> <p>3. Once you reach the top, pause and squeeze your biceps hard, then rotate the weights until your palms are facing down.</p> <p>4. Slowly lower the dumbbells toward your thighs, stopping short of lockout.</p> <p> 5. Pause, then turn your palms back to the starting position. repeat.<br /></p><p> </p><p> The Zottman curl was devised by strongman George Zottman in the 1880s but has yet to receive its due acclaim for its ability to build bigger biceps and forearms. By calling into play the brachioradialis--the prominent muscle on the thumb side of your forearm--the Zottman curl helps to add balance between upper and lower arm mass and should be part of any complete arm program. If this move is new to you, you'll find it a welcome change of pace for your biceps that could kick-start new growth.</p>And no, the pictures are NOT of me in case you hadn't figured it out.<br /><br />Next week i'll post my workout for discussions.jamesbluntknifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01611941733334322792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156381736172853863.post-15978476727072819932009-04-06T16:25:00.000-07:002009-04-06T16:30:28.522-07:00i'm baaa-aaack<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ok</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">i'm</span> back. finally.<br /><br />let's just say that i have had a lot on my plate, but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">i'm</span> now single.<br /><br />so now <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">i'll</span> be back to blogging and posting information. this won't just be about eating out all the time anymore. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">i'm</span> saving for a house and a car and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">lots</span> of other things, as (sadly), <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">i've</span> taken the plunge and decided to grow up. no more <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">hoodies</span>, singlets in public, excessive drinking.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">ok</span>, maybe not the excessive drinking.<br /><br />but i will be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">focusing</span> on life, and enjoying it. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">i'm</span> still staying true to my roots, but i stopped blogging because it had become a chore, and that's no fun. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">i'd</span> had my fair share of run ins with over-zealous <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">restaurant</span> owners that took offence to me taking photos.<br /><br />in the next couple of days there will be a brief synopsis of restaurants and bars <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">i've</span> been to and recommend, and those i would never go to again.<br /><br />but for now, let's focus on the here, the now.<br /><br />either way, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">i'm</span> back now, for better or worse.jamesbluntknifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01611941733334322792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156381736172853863.post-55890189143438137132008-10-09T14:51:00.001-07:002008-10-12T14:31:40.896-07:00ribs!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLqq10JfSSCUKeqA_SLnGcpZk5rrTWAWV6IasmmeWIhDuWVwPDurWxjODd81LtiVsqx1Xg4uVsLDe5xsdmj7i5S3TSNJW-PrjbhbV4V3Rkyi4Y93tMOOFffeuFWulSHwQFpBYzYjwud2z/s1600-h/IMGP1314.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLqq10JfSSCUKeqA_SLnGcpZk5rrTWAWV6IasmmeWIhDuWVwPDurWxjODd81LtiVsqx1Xg4uVsLDe5xsdmj7i5S3TSNJW-PrjbhbV4V3Rkyi4Y93tMOOFffeuFWulSHwQFpBYzYjwud2z/s320/IMGP1314.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256371588428136578" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXsI5CE1s0oitJ9d4rWiO0G3X1o-pxYYT589qy77NWUopz2Tb05r4A0YA2xb7xhJOWROyIXhvjBPeViKtxjZBe0FuCJ_TgKnMkdXjPfLqtRJjhY_obCbieDCUNVlGtZcZgwKbUW1saoCv/s1600-h/IMGP1315.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXsI5CE1s0oitJ9d4rWiO0G3X1o-pxYYT589qy77NWUopz2Tb05r4A0YA2xb7xhJOWROyIXhvjBPeViKtxjZBe0FuCJ_TgKnMkdXjPfLqtRJjhY_obCbieDCUNVlGtZcZgwKbUW1saoCv/s320/IMGP1315.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256371593782720290" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IqgWfttYtP0I1xYPqHy6Efh2XzlQOER9i7oMpY3Lzu9OxEiV-Hn_DUJuG0WtHeJZIDKpTL6Fbp_TXehxv-MZb2aY7r1W9UujgZU25NNKu5V0T__9972QusEO4Z89YbHWn-QEoNlrpHrf/s1600-h/IMGP1316.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IqgWfttYtP0I1xYPqHy6Efh2XzlQOER9i7oMpY3Lzu9OxEiV-Hn_DUJuG0WtHeJZIDKpTL6Fbp_TXehxv-MZb2aY7r1W9UujgZU25NNKu5V0T__9972QusEO4Z89YbHWn-QEoNlrpHrf/s320/IMGP1316.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256371598925330066" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQENWzpmts6lpAy_wHeVBdXqnR9rgHQeb9a9kevqC7hZOs1RqTGG8cTql9FNy9aAXQjwFqJwgm9YT4A8Qf-011X35oG2gpH0ORyHG_vdViDp9XIYpKmuInpKiuSMe8kCBP8R-BtkJzb_iC/s1600-h/IMGP1317.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQENWzpmts6lpAy_wHeVBdXqnR9rgHQeb9a9kevqC7hZOs1RqTGG8cTql9FNy9aAXQjwFqJwgm9YT4A8Qf-011X35oG2gpH0ORyHG_vdViDp9XIYpKmuInpKiuSMe8kCBP8R-BtkJzb_iC/s320/IMGP1317.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256371601265227074" border="0" /></a><br />I've had a hankering for ribs (i'm not sure if hankering is actually a word, but i like it), but haven't found any in melbourne.<br />does anyone know of a good restaurant for ribs? it seems that they are everywhere in sydney (last time i was in sydney i saw them available at each mealtime, each time in different restaurants).<br /><br />in the end, i gave up and started thinking of making some for myself. the significant other is holed up with her CPA exam, so i figured i'd make some ribs for her.<br /><br />this is a mash-up of two recipes, because i loved the marinade from one recipe, but i liked the idea of braising the ribs first.<br /><br />update: these ended up great! i'd add a little bit more chilli, but watch out for the slices of bird's eye - they still have a bit of kick to them.<br /><span class="heading1"><p>james' <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1223589263_0">ribs</span></p><p><br />serves 2 very hungry people (more if you want to include salad, but these are ribs, damnit!)</p><p><br /><span style="border-bottom: medium none; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1223589263_1"></span>1 ½ kg American-style pork spare ribs</p><p><br />Marinade<br />2 tablespoons <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1223589263_2">light soy sauce</span><br />1 tablespoon hoisin sauce<br />½ cup honey<br />½ teaspoon five spice powder<br />1 tablespoon brown vinegar<br />1 small fresh red chilli, chopped<br />¼ <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1223589263_3">cup tomato sauce</span><br />1 tablespoon sweet sherry<br />2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger<br />1 clove garlic, crushed</p><p><span><span class="heading1">24 hours before cooking: Place the ribs in a large pot of cold water and bring to the boil, once boiling skim the water and turn the heat down to a gentle simmer and cook for 45mins. Mix the all the marinade ingredients together in a bowl. Remove the ribs and rinse under cold water, pat dry and add them to the marinade making sure they’re well coated. Refrigerate at least overnight/24hrs. </span></span><br /></p></span><p><strong></strong></p> <p>Remove the ribs from the fridge and cook them on a hot BBQ or grill turning frequently until the outside is caramelized, (approx 15-20mins). Otherwise, can roast in oven to cook. Bring remaining marinade to boil; pour over ribs.</p>jamesbluntknifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01611941733334322792noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156381736172853863.post-18726082137513635472008-09-30T17:50:00.001-07:002008-09-30T18:32:27.290-07:00waiters - the good, the bad, and the outright psychotic<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkG2u54Op6Cx9eruw1qYlCgLFngUKz7Slscx80UEKHzXm7nRR0ZUP_4wezoMSO-G9PawrTeXnYtgwuoRCGTRcPsZPfzudXhRtYSCU7dn-2NfnHVnIbR5wSmhyY9y1_OFfECz4y638Rq40/s1600-h/_39134063_manuel270.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkG2u54Op6Cx9eruw1qYlCgLFngUKz7Slscx80UEKHzXm7nRR0ZUP_4wezoMSO-G9PawrTeXnYtgwuoRCGTRcPsZPfzudXhRtYSCU7dn-2NfnHVnIbR5wSmhyY9y1_OFfECz4y638Rq40/s320/_39134063_manuel270.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251984817598985522" border="0" /></a>I have been feeling a certain level of paranoia lately. I think that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">waiters</span> are out to get me. Or at least, treat me badly. There were the few <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">occasional</span> experiences that left me annoyed, but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">for the</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"></span> most part oblivious. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">nobu</span>, for example, where i had to ask 3 waiters (and wait 15 minutes) for a glass of water. but for the most part, i was oblivious.<br /><br />Until this month, that is. It just seems like the world is against me. I have had some shining lights, but <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">overall</span> service has been dismal. Is it <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">just</span> me? i tip, i am friendly, i don't think i ask too much as a customer, and yet, i get <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">shafted</span>. and shafted. and shafted yet again.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">i've</span> had <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">english</span> backpackers serving me, taking my order, and then not passing the order on to anyone else. when i ask what is happening with the meal, they deny talking to me, or taking my order, telling me i was mistaken. then for the rest of the meal, it is an uphill battle. i have to ask them to clear my empty coffee cup. i have to get my own cutlery. napkins? forget it! i can look at the person and ask for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">something</span> and they would walk past, as if somehow, i had wronged them. i would have gotten up and left, except that the owner is a very nice guy, and i felt sorry for him. he gave me a free <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">coffee</span> for the confusion, but then when i went to pay the bill, there was no free coffee (it was the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">english</span> girl taking the money). even after he told her it was free, she asked him why it should be free. <br /><br />that is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">just</span> one incident. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">i'm</span> going to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">intersperse</span> bad with good, because although there are a LOT of bad experiences lately, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">i'll</span> stick to a couple, as although venting is good, there is only a certain limit anyone can endure.<br /><br />At <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">movida</span>, i had a very good waitress called <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">natasha</span>. to start with, there was a line of people in front of us blocking the door, that claimed that they had reservations. i waited for a few <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">minutes</span>, then decided to check, to find out that no, they did NOT have reservations and that our table was waiting for us. she was very nice. always filling our water, making good <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">recommendations</span>, warning us not to order too much, being helpful about the meals and which ones worked with others. she had good <span style="font-style: italic;">feel</span>. and that's what is important in my mind. overall, it was a very pleasant experience, which is good. it was for my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">girlfriend's</span> birthday.<br /><br />we went to gills diner after hearing so <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">many</span> good things about it. it was not particularly busy (a good thing, as we had a fashion show to attend to). we ordered wine, looked at a menu, and after deciding what we wanted, we waited to be served. and waited. and waited. 20 minutes of us sitting there, having long ago finished our wine. i tried to get eye contact, but it seemed no one <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">wanted</span> to look. finally, i raised my hand. a waiter came over, and asked me why i was in such a hurry? i explained that no, i was not in a hurry, but i didn't want to wait any longer. my tone was apologetic, feeling bad for the dirty gesture of raising my hand (i never <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">know</span> the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">correct</span> etiquette). <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">his</span> not so apologetic, as he apologised, saying "well, i am sorry that we are not fast enough for you and don't meet your lofty expectations" dd i do something to wrong him? probably, by the way he acted. i asked him to explain the terrine to us (my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">girlfriend</span> did not know what it was, i only knew enough to understand it, but not explain it). first time, he tells us that it's got pork and chicken in it. that's it. i ask again, this time to explain what a terrine IS. "OH, he says, i didn't know you had no idea" was the terse reply. finally he explains it, but no better than i could have, which disappoints me. we order the meals, and from then on try to find a different waiter. we find a very nice, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">laidback</span> woman who is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">immensely</span> helpful. at the end, the girl had left, and i again <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">raised</span> my hand after <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">giving</span> up trying to get people's attention. same guy. "why are you raising your hand at me? are you in a hurry?". '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">nough</span> said.<br /><br />last experience: red spice road. my girlfriend's birthday party. we had an amazing waiter, possible the best i have ever had serve us. the service is amazing, flawless. never saw him unless you wanted to speak to him, and he was extremely polite. my wine glass was always full; the only indication was movement out of the corner of my eye that someone was there. i complimented him, as i was extremely impressed, and he was grateful someone noticed. i will be back there again.<br /><br />so overall what is it? do i expect too much, or am i too rude? i go for eye contact, and if that does not work after 3 tries, i WILL raise my hand. i know that this is oafish, but if i have to wait 15 minutes to get the attention of a waiter i feel disappointed, and worse still, feel that i am being ignored. maybe i am rude, ignorant, and not deserving of their attention. but i just don't get it. what are everyone <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">else's</span> experiences of this? please, admonish me for doing things wrong, i really want to know how to act correctly when it comes to getting waiters attention. because it just doesn't seem right anymore.jamesbluntknifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01611941733334322792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156381736172853863.post-41597050930768426982008-09-30T16:27:00.000-07:002008-09-30T18:55:48.151-07:00Aix Creperie<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBA3OE_kFv13TiDIEQYzETTUIQU1-0ylje8Lll-dYXNHXD4BSBjPVShP1Zzs9KCD1GzL4tRMuuTHAwDzVpVkAdm8p30oVV_3FdNB4_GjxAEVkvnnOanRRX2MAEy3Ml4CkY8ybEZttppraE/s1600-h/IMGP0732.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBA3OE_kFv13TiDIEQYzETTUIQU1-0ylje8Lll-dYXNHXD4BSBjPVShP1Zzs9KCD1GzL4tRMuuTHAwDzVpVkAdm8p30oVV_3FdNB4_GjxAEVkvnnOanRRX2MAEy3Ml4CkY8ybEZttppraE/s320/IMGP0732.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251970409748526898" border="0" /></a>Aix Creperie<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">24 Centre Place<br />(03) 9662 2667.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />This is one one my secret finds. It's on centre place, which in my mind is a continuation of degreaves street, but i personally think this part is better. so if i ever say degreaves street, i actually mean this little part. there is a soup nazi, bars upstairs, and crepes. life is good.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMLZW-TsuceipbX2GLPZXbeSytNSrkS5Gz62SXFr7eTtOJ_gLPZuOepOsG38aTLvBmIRCWwL9fuMjNrdaWXTKPBW_HlmhlzHfVn2y3C1pWmofSfk7H1oCgj94q7POniQUAHEpB4aZ8LHd/s1600-h/IMGP0717.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMLZW-TsuceipbX2GLPZXbeSytNSrkS5Gz62SXFr7eTtOJ_gLPZuOepOsG38aTLvBmIRCWwL9fuMjNrdaWXTKPBW_HlmhlzHfVn2y3C1pWmofSfk7H1oCgj94q7POniQUAHEpB4aZ8LHd/s320/IMGP0717.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251968883771458130" border="0" /></a>The Significant other ordered this - a soy mocha latte. it looked quite nice, but i can't get used to the taste of soy, so i guess her drink is safe for now. just the same way that friends order gin and tonics when they know i am drunk enough to be a drinksthief, as i don't like the taste. i lovingly call this my "drunkasaurus" stage, which, like the dinosaurs is gradually becoming extinct. However, soy milk is amazing. it's one of those things that transports me back to a different place and time. whenever i have warm soy milk, i always think of the little hole in the wall in shanghai where i would get my daily fix of fresh soy milk and onion pancake. australian soy milk tastes nothing like it though.<br /><br /></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Fll0Eg7-gkldGmNGCLV7yqt7ZM5E3ZYsF8XoA97aZD96dNdr7WU9syUZ8ALsSgFYY5c_iaJs4WRyTBrlcM9WeOUTXg0YOi4p9dcFrVIkqU34lyEQx_A8BqECfG1PwU5t4BQeYQc1VX3W/s1600-h/IMGP0730.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Fll0Eg7-gkldGmNGCLV7yqt7ZM5E3ZYsF8XoA97aZD96dNdr7WU9syUZ8ALsSgFYY5c_iaJs4WRyTBrlcM9WeOUTXg0YOi4p9dcFrVIkqU34lyEQx_A8BqECfG1PwU5t4BQeYQc1VX3W/s320/IMGP0730.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251970397685575122" border="0" /></a>peking duck crepe. yes, this is not traditional. and not normally my sort of crepe, but it was very good. the duck meat was tender, juicy, and not too fatty. the skin was not crispy though, which is a shame, but otherwise very good.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6IRDlL6bJS5crLRNy7ekYkvkDsrjVUn04TCOOoQrhAC2Z3SeW-YPSPJ-21nH2exitxe700yx2k5eDhuVqQ4AXRirLmnWJIJpJBft0mA6vjsHLogTYpn1g0kYX7PUUVfcY_ly3K5BVXq-Y/s1600-h/IMGP0731.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6IRDlL6bJS5crLRNy7ekYkvkDsrjVUn04TCOOoQrhAC2Z3SeW-YPSPJ-21nH2exitxe700yx2k5eDhuVqQ4AXRirLmnWJIJpJBft0mA6vjsHLogTYpn1g0kYX7PUUVfcY_ly3K5BVXq-Y/s320/IMGP0731.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251970405209294434" border="0" /></a>YUM! now THIS is my sort of thing. banana, ricotta, and honey. the honey is orange blossum, so is sweet and fragrant and not too heavy.<br /><br />both of these crepes are $7 (ish) and are quite nice. however, there was a bad side to it, but i'll discuss it in my next post. it just seems that i am having terrible luck with my waiters/waitresses/waitpeoples.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFVNQFAwVqOMYML0Q3s_rmGh_GJUNbO0wpR8rv_OtCE2z9B8NhkH2UICY4TeNnB_34J2QQnhIazmR9vcV0SBhGXWbghhVVe9EyzoUitXYHPERtgAS4vKMLNcFmGrA69EjinjlAt_NMUu7/s1600-h/IMGP0714.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFVNQFAwVqOMYML0Q3s_rmGh_GJUNbO0wpR8rv_OtCE2z9B8NhkH2UICY4TeNnB_34J2QQnhIazmR9vcV0SBhGXWbghhVVe9EyzoUitXYHPERtgAS4vKMLNcFmGrA69EjinjlAt_NMUu7/s320/IMGP0714.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251968874972998674" border="0" /></a><br />oh, and the owner is a really cool, laidback guy. overall, i like this cafe, and will continue to come here for as long as they have good crepes. oh, and my personal favorite: white chocolate, coconuat and fresh raspberries. (drool).jamesbluntknifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01611941733334322792noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156381736172853863.post-12408346703519478352008-09-18T15:41:00.001-07:002008-09-18T15:51:32.801-07:00my life as suchcurrently, i haven't been eating out as much - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">i'm</span> currently <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">focusing</span> on being good and trying to put on a couple kilo's of muscle, and as such <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">extravagant</span> food is replaced by bland, boring food and shakes.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">i've</span> been taking a whey protein matrix which is comprised of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">WPI</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">WPC</span>, and also has <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">BCAA's</span> , and mixing it with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">cellmass</span> for some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">creatine</span> as well. it's a lean mix with not a lot of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">carbs</span>, but it's <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">helping</span> me for now and is kinda tasty too. i finally worked out why i never get a hankering for chocolate - it's because my powders are always chocolate flavour (with the exception of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">choc mint</span>, which was possibly the best flavour i have had, but not the best protein). overall i am slowly rebuilding muscle as i take the gym a bit more seriously, however i am at the point where i need to consider a personal trainer to push me a bit more. if you don't understand the acronyms, don't worry - they are not that important and only reference points. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">i'm</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">trying</span> a few other things as well, but generally they sound scary, and so i won't be discussing them in this forum!<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">i'm</span> trying to juggle this new-found enthusiasm for the gym with squash as well, which is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">ok</span>, but taking up a heap of my energy during the week. i had to get my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">racket</span> restrung due to too many bad plays, and got another grip put onto it as well.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">i'm</span> still frequenting "the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">rasoi</span>", the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">indian</span> restaurant i reviewed a couple of weeks ago, if only because it is so cheap. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">i've</span> avoided <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">indian</span> for for 95% of my life; i am simply making up for the deficiency!<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">i've</span> updated my blog roll as well, so have a look - this will be updated with a few more that i frequent as time goes on, simply because i have a lot of blogs i look at, and i don't have the time to add them all at the same time.<br /><br />i guess that's it. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">i'll</span> be at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">melbourne</span> show on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">sunday</span>, so if anybody has suggestions for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">show bags</span>, let me know. likewise if you are too lazy to go/pay the $27, i can grab them for you if it's convenient for everyone involved.<br /><br />and yes, i know it's boring to read this sort of post, but i figured i'd give you all a bit more info about myself.jamesbluntknifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01611941733334322792noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156381736172853863.post-57665292004452356112008-09-08T16:41:00.002-07:002008-09-14T16:19:03.730-07:00Dumplings Plus, MelbourneDumplings Plus, 269 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Swanston</span> Street Melbourne<br />9663 8181<br /><br />*formerly Ye Shanghai Restaurant.<br /><br />Last <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">sunday</span> my girlfriend had a hankering (i love this word, so please bear with me) for noodles for breakfast, so we went to this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">restaurant</span>. it's next to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">macdonalds</span> on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">swanston</span> street, and we're picking through the menu slowly. it's gone through a heap of name changes, but really, all you need to know is that they make the dumplings and the noodles on site, and you even get to watch them making them all!<br /><br />it worked out really well, because i had been trying to find good <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">dan</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">dan</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">mian</span> for a long time now, and it turns out that this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">restaurant</span> has great <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">dan</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">dan</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">mian</span>. spicy, garlicky, porky, with a generous amount of coriander, i was in heaven. confession time: i am white (and i mean as white as white can be), so spicy food is not my specialty. this dish had me sweating, and making my lips burn, but it was so worth it, i couldn't stop until it was all gone. my girlfriend is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">malaysian</span>, so she mostly made fun of me!<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">i'll</span> let the pictures tell the story and then <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">i'll</span> go further on.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgXx7RgQyb_RCaClwygTMKbIbuX_K9U8x_4Ci0cfhDKxyPwPJJ10rSOy5po0sM3Y5ZDlwT3JqmkAgKHnfm5AvzgMKVRZtaFgjPzNBJoleLJG7cBZUzZH3E5IirJFQ9xmY6Jz6CCvfSh6J/s1600-h/IMGP0453.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgXx7RgQyb_RCaClwygTMKbIbuX_K9U8x_4Ci0cfhDKxyPwPJJ10rSOy5po0sM3Y5ZDlwT3JqmkAgKHnfm5AvzgMKVRZtaFgjPzNBJoleLJG7cBZUzZH3E5IirJFQ9xmY6Jz6CCvfSh6J/s320/IMGP0453.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243806752705755506" border="0" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">xiao</span> long <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">bao</span>, $7.50 for 6.<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiJ4BZV0RNr5hGIuWRdNhYaGFhLIOZckpO9auZ5D-v7bfd7Zt4Cb1eEO9348tkPVORFtSgu-OhPbgsSg43VJ3iR5VR6XDokJl67NXAX_UjWUXPx1ZxsvBUK7jE9DKjX74kGg1D6Um4WAm/s1600-h/IMGP0455.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiJ4BZV0RNr5hGIuWRdNhYaGFhLIOZckpO9auZ5D-v7bfd7Zt4Cb1eEO9348tkPVORFtSgu-OhPbgsSg43VJ3iR5VR6XDokJl67NXAX_UjWUXPx1ZxsvBUK7jE9DKjX74kGg1D6Um4WAm/s320/IMGP0455.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243806757794941330" border="0" /> </a>People making dumplings<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRtwcKZcD8Gbk0nsfN0ixjW1cfQw9V-4EObHCMi4eiZ4MgVcVWv3KGqgFt8F8u5ykKo6MRY2VEGpPCgGTyOsN26B9eNUZLyNdp6Rc3XqisYAfw2x_zEFQu993qz7s4aDFl-5B9UeDLvkB/s1600-h/IMGP0444.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRtwcKZcD8Gbk0nsfN0ixjW1cfQw9V-4EObHCMi4eiZ4MgVcVWv3KGqgFt8F8u5ykKo6MRY2VEGpPCgGTyOsN26B9eNUZLyNdp6Rc3XqisYAfw2x_zEFQu993qz7s4aDFl-5B9UeDLvkB/s320/IMGP0444.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243805338019965634" border="0" /></a>fried hand made noodles with pork $9.50.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwlVJc5aPog8aLbGHRVN8copDD_P98kWi_bsN-O78_dai6c1Q4rGOjYDJKcOQIt0n4wV564oLdE2nd3ztQ2gF9oDrFzZhi4O0fLS80eNtAjvhhY7C9X7w7CYf6KdSpyszOacKuMdp36qi/s1600-h/IMGP0446.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwlVJc5aPog8aLbGHRVN8copDD_P98kWi_bsN-O78_dai6c1Q4rGOjYDJKcOQIt0n4wV564oLdE2nd3ztQ2gF9oDrFzZhi4O0fLS80eNtAjvhhY7C9X7w7CYf6KdSpyszOacKuMdp36qi/s320/IMGP0446.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243805342899122114" border="0" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Szechuan</span> Style Noodles with Minced Pork & Peanut $8.80<br />(<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">dan</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">dan</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">mian</span>)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6Zm5BX7PfZGU27q9vz_YMGE-AHCFV_XBHeWOl1_24ekKR2VdCT9ccvWer9M506qxv9fv6julMm6NNzXU7z-CU2LXV7AQz74XDliRqGmqYSi76KGN2CXRFwDz-7YjF-TqXQg53-smOuVd/s1600-h/IMGP0438.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6Zm5BX7PfZGU27q9vz_YMGE-AHCFV_XBHeWOl1_24ekKR2VdCT9ccvWer9M506qxv9fv6julMm6NNzXU7z-CU2LXV7AQz74XDliRqGmqYSi76KGN2CXRFwDz-7YjF-TqXQg53-smOuVd/s320/IMGP0438.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243802520397080578" border="0" /></a>another pic of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">dan</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">dan</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">mian</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPm7jf-9uTJEjEQsZJ9KofzcHw0unakxW7G0OkAvr8QkRBL7wV-7lz0KACS297Bny33t8cZ2kOEhFlq9erxBAJehQAacIS0yS94lG9-RxyYhrgt8zt_ALxfMyKKhZ0cdXIIf5NUw7llvi/s1600-h/IMGP0439.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPm7jf-9uTJEjEQsZJ9KofzcHw0unakxW7G0OkAvr8QkRBL7wV-7lz0KACS297Bny33t8cZ2kOEhFlq9erxBAJehQAacIS0yS94lG9-RxyYhrgt8zt_ALxfMyKKhZ0cdXIIf5NUw7llvi/s320/IMGP0439.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243802531571828706" border="0" /></a>the girlfriend on drinks duty<br /></div><br />the noodles here are very nice, with a great texture and feel to them, no doubt due to being so fresh on site. the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">xiao</span> long <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">bao</span> are <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">ok</span>, but nothing special. i think that the spicy fish version are better, but that is just me.<br /><br />just look at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">chilli</span> soup of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">dan</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">dan</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">mian</span> though! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">mmm</span>, i love it, just thinking about it now.<br /><br />the only gripe i have is that they spell <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">sichuan</span> as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">szechuan</span>. overall, it's cheap and cheerful, and very filling. just right for those lazy days when you don't know what you want!jamesbluntknifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01611941733334322792noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156381736172853863.post-19015236352832248572008-09-08T15:47:00.000-07:002008-09-08T18:02:55.290-07:00The Rasoi, richmondThe <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Rasoi</span><br />281 Bridge Road Richmond (corner bridge road and church street)<br />94280008.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ok</span>, i have to admit, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">indian</span> is one of my falling graces. up until 3 months ago, i refused to eat it. the flavours, the spices, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">chilli</span>, the smells, none of it appealed to me. to me, it was an aberration on an otherwise perfect plane of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">asian</span> food.<br /><br />then my eyes were opened.<br /><br />it was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">malaysia</span> that did it, that drew me in. those damned <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">roti</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">chanai</span> for breakfast, at 30 cents a hit. it was like food crack. i was addicted. for two weeks straight, rain, hail, shine, hungover like a dog (and yes, there were many of those days), i still had to get my fix. it took a train ride, a 15 minute walk, and some careful walking (avoiding trucks, bikes, and wild dogs) just to get to my favorite crack den, but oh man, was it worth it! the mango <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">lassi</span> (still a little bit tart), the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">dahl</span>, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">roti</span>. oh my god - the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">roti</span>. i was in heaven.<br /><br />so when i came back, i started to look around, to get my fix. i was like a man possessed. and now <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">i've</span> found it.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-SS0_kuVO-n3aaBiY-jI7uGoPMlQowWpuZG_vy1izQv_lYu2VDPQxCxaTRwewRnz3Uptj9odyx-cidojy9jC20uxpMTAxPv7HeFkfxN2UzJ8NINLd3UAOhTg7_Du0gfIHNr0eKZB4NCc/s1600-h/IMGP0474.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-SS0_kuVO-n3aaBiY-jI7uGoPMlQowWpuZG_vy1izQv_lYu2VDPQxCxaTRwewRnz3Uptj9odyx-cidojy9jC20uxpMTAxPv7HeFkfxN2UzJ8NINLd3UAOhTg7_Du0gfIHNr0eKZB4NCc/s320/IMGP0474.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243799268349025522" border="0" /></a>garlic <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">naan</span> ($2). notice the chunks of garlic liberally all over the bread. ultimate turn off, yes. ultimate flavour, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">definitely</span>.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgen54LZmNOHcmAoCkab55ayOFzp8BS0UYLY_7n59S549MhUOQzvubdJDCqhqj9wsazknEImuDcDmaS9sfgw4RVA0VpTjnhQmn0ApVS1ucE8jjopc6B39oKHhDMyImH1-hZQebMGvc5Okkx/s1600-h/IMGP0479.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgen54LZmNOHcmAoCkab55ayOFzp8BS0UYLY_7n59S549MhUOQzvubdJDCqhqj9wsazknEImuDcDmaS9sfgw4RVA0VpTjnhQmn0ApVS1ucE8jjopc6B39oKHhDMyImH1-hZQebMGvc5Okkx/s320/IMGP0479.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243799271697065618" border="0" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">palak</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">paneer</span> ($8). cottage cheese simmered in spinach puree. my food testing friend loves this dish, but i have to admit, it was pretty damn good.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVKfQ1aIGeP7UMdPOOH33h1mRVun-_BPGHOk7B5jgoC7HkJmHcXqRsc3pIlm6gd_akwe3yoy4qxhB4QyV_0Pjv79o0Y59UAC-cf-bA9mHihOTeMQ3oAFPvBPYAebQoxgMCM03Wktmr7GY/s1600-h/IMGP0471.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVKfQ1aIGeP7UMdPOOH33h1mRVun-_BPGHOk7B5jgoC7HkJmHcXqRsc3pIlm6gd_akwe3yoy4qxhB4QyV_0Pjv79o0Y59UAC-cf-bA9mHihOTeMQ3oAFPvBPYAebQoxgMCM03Wktmr7GY/s320/IMGP0471.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243795505076109826" border="0" /></a>lamb <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">bhuna</span> (8) my favorite of the night. lamb cooked with onion, chopped mint and coriander. this was amazing. i love mint and coriander, so this did <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">everything</span> i wanted. there were a few small bone bits, but otherwise great.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCTX1Yh07UQEvl9Ww6D7jYK3Z6LGqxofnBxN94ahFjwGKvAJCCjfPzh38QglTldWuFZ6aJ4NvjhlYAWmVcPIU5fep0pByEoMDfnJwblnOvFcRkH1r_hyphenhyphenJplmxaZyaKQK9K9ZYHU-y2qyB/s1600-h/IMGP0470.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCTX1Yh07UQEvl9Ww6D7jYK3Z6LGqxofnBxN94ahFjwGKvAJCCjfPzh38QglTldWuFZ6aJ4NvjhlYAWmVcPIU5fep0pByEoMDfnJwblnOvFcRkH1r_hyphenhyphenJplmxaZyaKQK9K9ZYHU-y2qyB/s320/IMGP0470.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243792059381452194" border="0" /></a>Goat <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">karahi</span> ($9). goat cooked with tomato, onion and capsicum. so <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">gamey</span>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGa6x0jpYxPA7QeibZbsS0eVHiHXhC2MisXeldG9XNdanNO5kmJbFvj9Kzb_A5GGliF5kGNjAEBgm4yYJjeRn8xzEwEVRGdiiJu123uZmQubxg6kI5sIvUgARbNuFLAEwzuy79AHeuW0n3/s1600-h/IMGP0473.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGa6x0jpYxPA7QeibZbsS0eVHiHXhC2MisXeldG9XNdanNO5kmJbFvj9Kzb_A5GGliF5kGNjAEBgm4yYJjeRn8xzEwEVRGdiiJu123uZmQubxg6kI5sIvUgARbNuFLAEwzuy79AHeuW0n3/s320/IMGP0473.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243795509039778850" border="0" />saffron rice</a> ($3). saffron rice. go figure.<br /><br /><br />this food was perfect, and so cheap - for two people, it was under $20 (with corkage). we ate more too, but by then my hands were shaking with delight, and i didn't want to dirty the new toy (camera).<br /><br />all the meats were tender, and the service was good - the waiter is the owner, and even brought us water <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">without</span> us having to ask for it (although to his credit, we'd <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">already</span> opened the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">screwtop</span> wine and started drinking before he came to serve us. no, he <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">wasn't</span> slow - we'd only sat down for 10 seconds before reaching for the bottle).<br /><br />the tables are all designed for 4 people, and are just big enough (actually maybe a little bit small, but manageable). dark wooden tables, dark wooden seats, oh, and of course, the big <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">widescreen</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">tv</span> playing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">indian</span> music and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">bollywood</span> films.<br /><br />not much else i can say. i'll be back.<br /><br /><br /><br />and once more:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLyZYX1l1W-8mZwhrCfValgYuQU9cQBBp5P7YHRzATmr84nHKcNN6kNpbUpcqssr0Ijnn86RmeHwLYZrSzZwOTzfgn8sds3GoN3nmpQsymYz4Ntum66LT8KDOeevfNWx1DLDoOK23znhTy/s1600-h/IMGP0469.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLyZYX1l1W-8mZwhrCfValgYuQU9cQBBp5P7YHRzATmr84nHKcNN6kNpbUpcqssr0Ijnn86RmeHwLYZrSzZwOTzfgn8sds3GoN3nmpQsymYz4Ntum66LT8KDOeevfNWx1DLDoOK23znhTy/s320/IMGP0469.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243792053462190466" border="0" /></a>jamesbluntknifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01611941733334322792noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156381736172853863.post-45087099289422363762008-09-01T14:10:00.000-07:002008-09-01T16:23:42.471-07:00Tobie Puttock's Osso Buco<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOU0_RF1KIgZUZmdu-ZDTHmskZNlaJItWYaDuPiYuujvEX8rCsVd7z2rcIzmaWf2nvGkZEThrZLVS1Hx7HRmtR2FPNzOiHJobDQ-snO4xiCmLagDWw0USnaYhNUonpfH2wMRWq-Y9LPQ_y/s1600-h/IMGP0134.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOU0_RF1KIgZUZmdu-ZDTHmskZNlaJItWYaDuPiYuujvEX8rCsVd7z2rcIzmaWf2nvGkZEThrZLVS1Hx7HRmtR2FPNzOiHJobDQ-snO4xiCmLagDWw0USnaYhNUonpfH2wMRWq-Y9LPQ_y/s320/IMGP0134.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241187882507786482" border="0" /></a>I know, I know, I've been slack. Unfortunately when my life gets hectic, certain things tend to suffer. this is also why i am incapable of keeping pets, or growing plants. my cactus is even spiting me. After going all wrinkly due to a lack of water, i put it out one day when it rained. obviously, it started to flower!<br /><br />Anyway, back to the topic at hand: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">osso</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">buco</span> (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">osso</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">bucco</span>? it's spelt "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">bucco</span>" in the book, but i am unsure of the spelling myself, and since i have no idea, i won't even bother commenting).<br /><br />I went away to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">dandenongs</span> on the weekend, to a nice little cottage in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">kallista</span>. i thought it might be nice to bring some food, something simple for one night, to share over a bottle of red.<br /><br />as my girlfriend isn't a fan of cooking and leave<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">s me</span> to it, i thought that i would take advantage of that and make something simple. After trawling around, i came onto this post: <a href="http://sarah-cooks.blogspot.com/2008/08/osso-bucco.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">sarah</span> cooks: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">osso</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">bucco</span></a><br /><br />I had already bought the tobie puttock book (myer had a 40% off sale) so i thought that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">i'd</span> give it a go. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">i'd</span> add the recipe here, but i am not sure if i am able to? i don't understand copyright laws, and i can't be stuffed working it out. after all, it's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">osso</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">buco</span> - there are 20 million recipes available. basically, you brown the meat (your choice of veal or beef shins, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">probably</span> shanks too), and after removing the meat (in the same pot) add some diced <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">vegies</span>, wine, stock, and throw some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">carbs</span> onto the plate.<br /><br />i won't bore you with all the steps, but here's some things i found:<br /><ul><li>i like garlic. lots of garlic. so mine ended up loaded with herbs and garlic (initially, the recipe didn't have enough garlic in it. i added a few whole cloves too, as i like the flavour and the sweetness of them.</li><li>same with wine - i added a bit more to it because i liked it (and i felt guilty drinking a whole bottle on my own. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">ok</span>, no i didn't, but i wanted to act like i did).</li><li>there was a bit of a debate about the stock not reducing on sarah's blog, and so i left it cooking for a while longer (i think 5 hours as compared to 3.5 hours). as a result, after chilling it in the fridge, all the juices turned to a jelly! it wasn't a problem as after reheating it was fine, but kinda funny, and a little bit gross.<br /></li><li>For the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">carbs</span>, i made a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">polenta</span> mash. i love <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">polenta</span>, but it's so heavy. i ended up making mashed potato with heaps of garlic butter, and then folding it into the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">polenta</span>, then adding some milk. also, i added <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">chilli</span> powder and a little chicken stock to add to the flavour. it turned out very nice, either reheated, or pan fried, it was like a croquette, and best of all, it soaked up all the yummy juices! </li></ul>That's all there is to it. if anybody wants to know more, either email me or add a comment and i'll be glad to get back to you!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqclPVKt1hLipCTd3hD9-sWHAXMg6dOTpgmXu9am2m-mghmNXNVjlsjzRCEY4Oqe55F-FdepN52ROAMhX9pS2Tz5E6gxir5_w5P2zI4vfScOUDhzNAYkQixJm33XbN2Vz60y_aIMdyiDX/s1600-h/IMGP0135.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqclPVKt1hLipCTd3hD9-sWHAXMg6dOTpgmXu9am2m-mghmNXNVjlsjzRCEY4Oqe55F-FdepN52ROAMhX9pS2Tz5E6gxir5_w5P2zI4vfScOUDhzNAYkQixJm33XbN2Vz60y_aIMdyiDX/s320/IMGP0135.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241187893184423602" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkG8te2wxrsKEq45LmIbFw2fgVC_mrGIIga8_ho0KwxJWGFYvTBrW9gdw3Mz-mJMilLpeTiqp7ed3Zw2zYQjPaby9NpCHlXsFEEpaNzI62HsISy6C02t-S4y-jEO5irlr-3PLjGe-ySPKy/s1600-h/IMGP0133.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkG8te2wxrsKEq45LmIbFw2fgVC_mrGIIga8_ho0KwxJWGFYvTBrW9gdw3Mz-mJMilLpeTiqp7ed3Zw2zYQjPaby9NpCHlXsFEEpaNzI62HsISy6C02t-S4y-jEO5irlr-3PLjGe-ySPKy/s320/IMGP0133.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241187130996527410" border="0" /></a>jamesbluntknifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01611941733334322792noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156381736172853863.post-33230453464742508922008-08-12T01:39:00.000-07:002008-08-12T03:28:01.582-07:00Bistro VueBistro <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Vue</span>, 430 little <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">collins</span> street, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">melbourne</span>.<br /><br />I went to bistro <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">vue</span> as part of the restaurant express week. last time i went to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">matteo's</span>, and i thoroughly recommend doing this - for $35 you get two courses and a glass of wine. Bistro <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">vue</span> was no exception and it was a lot of fun for the day.<br /><br />The entree was a prawn cocktail, which we skipped (i had eyed the cheese off on the way to our table, and had a hankering for some dairy goodness, whereas my girlfriend wanted to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">brulee</span>, a pistachio version).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeg3H81D-3WVIWQGMq9h8CVNsScXXIO4umFrjcn4xIDbrzv8-7jhNMhG4vUukSUaYhyphenhyphenpy54BeUi5Z6XX0_2qdsVRsaBoZv023hJknOpomGO7wcuozQ0eolDSzeexwGokg-fJ_UbilTfBh0/s1600-h/IMGP0056.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeg3H81D-3WVIWQGMq9h8CVNsScXXIO4umFrjcn4xIDbrzv8-7jhNMhG4vUukSUaYhyphenhyphenpy54BeUi5Z6XX0_2qdsVRsaBoZv023hJknOpomGO7wcuozQ0eolDSzeexwGokg-fJ_UbilTfBh0/s320/IMGP0056.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233553267523353458" border="0" /></a>braised veal shin 'a la <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">chinoise</span>'<br /></div><br /><br />This was basically <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">osso</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">bucco</span>, but oh so good. tender veal, amazingly intense bone marrow, and some ice <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">bismati</span> rice to soak up the juices. I could eat these all day long. The only thing was that we had no choice for the main course (even for restaurant express, you get options people!).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh987uv2k64Ts4jDitpIlC0g8jpJVnEVlTN9SUMU92Wmm59ggTTliPTUjNjroqwBc0YLzGX1D7wI3cx_WsTBji_VCbPunu33KZbKRjS6z7MnZYI1byl39C0SrttbI8s-Uu8Gd4mGJ7UuEBa/s1600-h/IMGP0065.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh987uv2k64Ts4jDitpIlC0g8jpJVnEVlTN9SUMU92Wmm59ggTTliPTUjNjroqwBc0YLzGX1D7wI3cx_WsTBji_VCbPunu33KZbKRjS6z7MnZYI1byl39C0SrttbI8s-Uu8Gd4mGJ7UuEBa/s320/IMGP0065.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233558154974460578" border="0" /></a>goat's cheese with a rosemary crust, cheddar, and assorted biscuits to carry said cheese to mouth.<br /></div><br />The goats cheese was very, very nice, however the cheddar was not so good - it had a yellow crust like it had been left out for too long... i didn't even finish the cheddar :(<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fMCyyVypJBtOnLLtRe61Qbo4oZEYxbruwwXYSNP50ghufnDJdGGTqJd44sY2iEKLqueC39KrUMqf6O3T95rnEWjCzRe2P7z0wlLSKKPb8oTm6ae9pj8AJM33J5iWWcKwVNrte0a1FV0Z/s1600-h/IMGP0062.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fMCyyVypJBtOnLLtRe61Qbo4oZEYxbruwwXYSNP50ghufnDJdGGTqJd44sY2iEKLqueC39KrUMqf6O3T95rnEWjCzRe2P7z0wlLSKKPb8oTm6ae9pj8AJM33J5iWWcKwVNrte0a1FV0Z/s320/IMGP0062.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233564716401270002" border="0" /></a>pistachio creme <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">brulee</span><br /></div><br />the sorbet was grapefruit flavoured and i loved it - too bad i was warned off it by my girlfriend :(<br />the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">brulee</span> was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">ok</span>, but i felt that it tasted too much of marzipan, and didn't discern any pistachio in it!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZaDLXcXQqOa9QQ9cOlk3z1CCVC97eOYTq7YXFU7zHiVcZP6Q9ElUw32jzaJeShT-7TR9dfRGof4Cv1i0R3SjNcjdeOInmM90RmBlKgdFoj6KvKUxA8ypSYLb3Ztydh2vWE34EsZt8fbT/s1600-h/IMGP0070.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZaDLXcXQqOa9QQ9cOlk3z1CCVC97eOYTq7YXFU7zHiVcZP6Q9ElUw32jzaJeShT-7TR9dfRGof4Cv1i0R3SjNcjdeOInmM90RmBlKgdFoj6KvKUxA8ypSYLb3Ztydh2vWE34EsZt8fbT/s320/IMGP0070.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233569483440274594" border="0" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Canale</span><br /></div><br />These were nice, but for some reason we felt that there was a bitter flavour to them. However when talking to the waitress, they said that these were only made with rum, sugar, vanilla and something else (flour?). however they were crispy, and nice and soft in the middle, and very good. these were right behind the veal i thought.<br /><br />All in all it was a good lunch, but not as good as expected for bistro <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">vue</span>.<br /><br />yes, i understand that it is a cheap meal with the purpose of trying restaurants, however i would assume that the meals would be indicative of what they have and make me want to go back. this did not, as all of it reminded me of foods that i can cook. Matteo's last time was amazingly good, and had some very special meals that i would see on their menus normally - they clearly see things differently to bistro <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">vue</span>.<br /><br />i guess i would go back again, as the service was amazing and i liked the layout - it wasn't cramped, was easy to hold a conversation, and overall a lot of fun ;)jamesbluntknifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01611941733334322792noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156381736172853863.post-53748119317162739732008-08-07T14:59:00.001-07:002008-08-09T19:20:45.936-07:00charles dickens tavern - the best bangers & mash ever?Charles Dickens Tavern<br />290 Collins Street, Melbourne Tel. 9654 1821 <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFbBBvH84AvCjnV9vM1k-DYWfNxzpMzdYmxGYqxFknAKTsEhccADgtlJ_g2LwveTF1yEfTiyqSGV-N1voTHpC-R4wN5TWphpxN_-WKfUoWP8O35bZQspJ5UTD1tezBADUE0dlKWcBbvGz/s1600-h/IMGP0024.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFbBBvH84AvCjnV9vM1k-DYWfNxzpMzdYmxGYqxFknAKTsEhccADgtlJ_g2LwveTF1yEfTiyqSGV-N1voTHpC-R4wN5TWphpxN_-WKfUoWP8O35bZQspJ5UTD1tezBADUE0dlKWcBbvGz/s320/IMGP0024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232078527034501378" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I've got a confession to make: I have a dark, secret, guilty pleasure.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZT_hhk6vlDes2FrmWXuSBaew3pAvkIGEV1JVoEfSn_TjEm__RPkOB_cxyqukT2OR3Pw2uSbWYMqZpxvu7X2c_ioPBCUMjDbgnAzgA65jLpjSev7ssS0dQX0mUiw7H47i0pSMsPquKjaR/s1600-h/IMGP0017.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZT_hhk6vlDes2FrmWXuSBaew3pAvkIGEV1JVoEfSn_TjEm__RPkOB_cxyqukT2OR3Pw2uSbWYMqZpxvu7X2c_ioPBCUMjDbgnAzgA65jLpjSev7ssS0dQX0mUiw7H47i0pSMsPquKjaR/s320/IMGP0017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232071501652564642" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I love bangers and mash.<br /></div><br />There, I've said it. So what do we do about it, now that it's out in the open? Well, I'll let you in on the secret of where to get some of the best ones in Melbourne.<br /><br />And the best ones I have ever eaten are at the Charles Dickens Tavern. I really don't want to make such a spurious claim for something so simple, but I want to throw down the gauntlet, challenging anyone for what they believe to be their favorites.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqX407l_03hCH2TypBgeElzGPVPu93VnwFqpWK-UGq8HGpOrYSD9pDDmiE13izHvJK5ZJoJSEDjemUkCf5ZZHmmVLGi4urzzJqMm_vy99Drja5IkWyS1Lop4vC7gAEWsP17zqRcYhTS3Ta/s1600-h/IMGP0014.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqX407l_03hCH2TypBgeElzGPVPu93VnwFqpWK-UGq8HGpOrYSD9pDDmiE13izHvJK5ZJoJSEDjemUkCf5ZZHmmVLGi4urzzJqMm_vy99Drja5IkWyS1Lop4vC7gAEWsP17zqRcYhTS3Ta/s320/IMGP0014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232066390496018530" border="0" /></a>How much for this, you might ask? Why, only $10.50. Good to see that some things never change.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJB7Z101-7lH5dJFF6orq2U3LW9ZSVG2dVoYMucndknq2ZE1bhmuVGGIqsvG2TvJOJR_n9b92BpV_Zm1ZUYw67iedG-ZlUKbPiQlExetsW0g-EWwiR47aokdG-0ObZRnP50mnXaxUHFfQk/s1600-h/IMGP0022.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJB7Z101-7lH5dJFF6orq2U3LW9ZSVG2dVoYMucndknq2ZE1bhmuVGGIqsvG2TvJOJR_n9b92BpV_Zm1ZUYw67iedG-ZlUKbPiQlExetsW0g-EWwiR47aokdG-0ObZRnP50mnXaxUHFfQk/s320/IMGP0022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232080558376785682" border="0" /></a><br />The Charles Dickens Tavern is an old-fashioned pub, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">English</span> themed, with plasma screens for sports. Regardless, it's cosy and quiet. It's the sort of place you can get away to for conversations when you just want to be left alone. They have a restaurant as well (which is also quite cheap), but I've never strayed from the bar area, where they have seating for 30 people with a lot of space between tables. The barman alone gives it a warm, familiar feel - delivering the meals, asking how they were, with a very happy "yum-yum" when he brings the meals over. Yum yum, indeed.<br /><br />As you can see from the prices, they haven't changed in years. But that's <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">OK</span>, that's <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">just</span> how i like it. This is a nostalgic trip ladies and gentleman, and for a country boy, this makes me feel right at home. It's not going to win any awards, and there certainly isn't any foam or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Escoffier</span> meals on the menu, but on a cold winters day, when all you want is a quiet meal somewhere warm with friends and good company, this is it.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoBGSBsRzJIBF-bbdETHY9EZUJTglIcTurnLFyFEqRmBMwyyir-uyBYwj9k_HUJWE8B3Lt5C4mTPayDjTgMsBBhKvT0qagHwf7_BpWf-oniycIWoRauYhHiwwrlM-wSuVuxo4KYS406794/s1600-h/IMGP0019.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoBGSBsRzJIBF-bbdETHY9EZUJTglIcTurnLFyFEqRmBMwyyir-uyBYwj9k_HUJWE8B3Lt5C4mTPayDjTgMsBBhKvT0qagHwf7_BpWf-oniycIWoRauYhHiwwrlM-wSuVuxo4KYS406794/s320/IMGP0019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232075673350633330" border="0" /></a>jamesbluntknifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01611941733334322792noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156381736172853863.post-87914679361379853842008-08-04T19:26:00.000-07:002008-12-10T05:30:48.740-08:00Lulo restaurant, glenferrie road, hawthorn.A friend of mine has just bought a house in Hawthorn, so I'm busily reacquainting myself with the wonders of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">glenferrie</span> road. i used to live just off <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">glenferrie</span> some 2 years ago, and it seems everything has changed. in a good way.<br /><br />so far we've been to samurai a few times (i love this restaurant), and a new <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">sichuan</span> restaurant that can actually spell <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">sichuan</span> (instead of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">szechewan</span> or whatever).<br /><br />so last night we thought that wed give <a href="http://www.lulo.com.au/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">lulo</span></a>'s a go (it's next to samurai, and looks <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"></span>good).<br /><br />the decor is nice, with a map of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">spain</span> drawn onto a mirror, and nice red feature walls. the fact is, that we were there for comfort food, because the weather was typical <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">melbourne</span> drivel (we wouldn't have it any other way, now would we?).<br /><br />this is what we got to eat:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIndh3FAYUl3DoFj2fV8YgF7s0JPcqTM7l_XpmZowqDmAE9Yt4Lxi2KWzcpvF5nPdylyDuMHH0RZ-Yi3ZCVtFC6jxvMb8ZnZfFLcNKVumWVVN_tQBzUTL_SGsdEyzxZCnbB-lr3gExQ5lR/s1600-h/LuLo+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIndh3FAYUl3DoFj2fV8YgF7s0JPcqTM7l_XpmZowqDmAE9Yt4Lxi2KWzcpvF5nPdylyDuMHH0RZ-Yi3ZCVtFC6jxvMb8ZnZfFLcNKVumWVVN_tQBzUTL_SGsdEyzxZCnbB-lr3gExQ5lR/s320/LuLo+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230875271443884082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Banderillas</span> - skewers of olives, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">guindillas</span> (mild <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">chilli</span> )& white anchovies- $8.00</span><br /><br />the first tapas was very large for it's price, however the olives did not have the firm texture i was expecting. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">i'm</span> not sure why, but i thought that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">caperberries</span> would have fitted the bill perfectly instead of the olives, as they would have supplied a different texture, and no pit in them either!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgSwmLMk59VmqWamtWroyOnay_7_rM89YC0LcN7JR_qAah46zH2BzXJ4F3O-OCHcUjMgeuNNxVU5KmCqQ0PTno83LSv5OLu6stWwRofM-OlMTn5S702YByg3Sr51xXy9GgM2234tF7Zrf/s1600-h/LuLo+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgSwmLMk59VmqWamtWroyOnay_7_rM89YC0LcN7JR_qAah46zH2BzXJ4F3O-OCHcUjMgeuNNxVU5KmCqQ0PTno83LSv5OLu6stWwRofM-OlMTn5S702YByg3Sr51xXy9GgM2234tF7Zrf/s320/LuLo+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230878756906207938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Chorizo</span> con <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Sidra</span> - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">chorizo</span> sausage sauteed with onions & apple cider -$8.50</span><br /><br />the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">chorizo's</span> in cider were good, and were tightly packed bundles of meat and spices. i liked the balance of them. i feel uncomfortable ordering <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">chorizo</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">becuase</span>, although i order them every time, i have no benchmark to judge them against. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">movida</span>? <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">barcelona</span>? i really need to understand what good <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">chorizo</span> is supposed to taste like. regardless, these were nice. the cider was great, having been reduced, and was good on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">chorizo</span> and the bread we had.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivXIdXRyyXtzy4ZZ94UAH2SN9C_mdz6hOm3iprDsux10lFDbUSrdlJLKYPWhyphenhyphen4n-z7TiQPnbK7DweE7u9aKRns_x-5wFLXuLxTwLXbesmDYNJSPu9egBCofX4lG-vzcvjf7vKJ23GLvsl/s1600-h/LuLo+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivXIdXRyyXtzy4ZZ94UAH2SN9C_mdz6hOm3iprDsux10lFDbUSrdlJLKYPWhyphenhyphen4n-z7TiQPnbK7DweE7u9aKRns_x-5wFLXuLxTwLXbesmDYNJSPu9egBCofX4lG-vzcvjf7vKJ23GLvsl/s320/LuLo+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230878765795482914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">roasted potatoes with peppers and olives - $12<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">ish</span>.</span><br /><br />the roast potatoes were really good, and i liked the balances between the potato, pepper, and olives. the peppers worked well with the potatoes for sure.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZne1iuCGDbMzpGcmVc6JoboyEtS_lhZDv6lEihyphenhyphenRQf20M3OH6AofuX9XLGfLgtQuctxPofIuqKR6xsD2FlEX5cYYUho8E1vCKYwdcCxM7L5pee9KiR6I39lfT8ffRA_4cP-VKk-zOL3HU/s1600-h/LuLo+010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZne1iuCGDbMzpGcmVc6JoboyEtS_lhZDv6lEihyphenhyphenRQf20M3OH6AofuX9XLGfLgtQuctxPofIuqKR6xsD2FlEX5cYYUho8E1vCKYwdcCxM7L5pee9KiR6I39lfT8ffRA_4cP-VKk-zOL3HU/s320/LuLo+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230878771751951554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Calamari a-la-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">plancha</span> con dos <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">aioli</span> - grilled calamari with squid ink & garlic <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">aioli</span>- $20.00</span><br /><br />the squid was tender, very tasty and fresh. i liked the main pieces a lot, however, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">i'm</span> not a fan of the tentacles, so <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">i'll</span> leave them alone. i felt that the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">aioli</span> (i think that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">spanish</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">aioli</span> is actually spelt "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">alioli</span>") needed a bit more of a kick, as i love my garlic and didn't get to taste it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uQxAZu3I6w8LM7IK41Xcc0aFOhHQNE02uganaGmxQ2pn6o1JHJdMrQtAFDI_gNLe_lTdBH7phz_-gfj33yJtUsr4KWGyHoWeAhGtkL249P4ys5XmstLnDFUuMY5SnvS3HXjeypkp1H2X/s1600-h/LuLo+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uQxAZu3I6w8LM7IK41Xcc0aFOhHQNE02uganaGmxQ2pn6o1JHJdMrQtAFDI_gNLe_lTdBH7phz_-gfj33yJtUsr4KWGyHoWeAhGtkL249P4ys5XmstLnDFUuMY5SnvS3HXjeypkp1H2X/s320/LuLo+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230878766834446562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Garbanzos <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">salteados</span> - braised chickpeas with eggplant, tomatoes & spinach - $12.00</span><br /><br />and now, onto the dish of the night - chickpeas! these were really good and i loved the texture of the eggplant and the chickpeas, and it all worked well. i would have loved some bread to mop up the juices.<br /><br /><br />we washed it all down with some wines - an '06 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">auroch</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">tempranillo</span> that i liked the sound of, and an '06 Bodegas <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">Crianza</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">de</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">Castilla</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">Verdejo</span> at the owner's suggestion. both of these were very good - next time i think we'll just go a bottle of the red! i loved it, yum.<br /><br />a very curious thing happened however: while taking the photos the owner/manager came and asked me what the pics were for. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">i'm</span> not sure if this has happened with other people and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">i'm</span> not sure if there is a time or place to raise this, but the manger raised the issue of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">bloggers</span> being qualified to review a restaurant while we were trying to eat. i mean really, this is my opinion, and who is better qualified to give my opinion than ME... I raised the issue that blogging is good for restaurants (in my mind) because it gives people an alternative view of the restaurant and pics. it did get me thinking though, what is the impact of blogs on restaurants? i mean, maybe <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44"><a href="http://www.tomatom.com">ed</a>'s</span> would have an impact, but for the average <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">smalltime</span> blogger i don't see what harm it could do. by the end of the night it was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">ok</span>, as we chatted about other restaurants with the owner, and the truffles in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47">tasmania</span>, but i think that this is something that all food <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48">bloggers</span> will come across at some time or another.<br /><br />the layout of the restaurant was good. it had some hard surfaces, but was not loud and we easily sat there chatting, sucking down wines. this may change later on in the week - the owner said that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_49">mondays</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_50">tuesday</span> are quiet, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_51">wednesday</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_52">thursdays</span> busier, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_53">fridays</span>/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_54">saturdays</span> very busy.<br /><br />i liked the map drawn onto the mirrored surface, that showed the major cities. the only thing i might have done with it was perhaps add where the wines regions are to show people where each different wine comes from. that might have been a nice touch i guess in my mind.<br /><br />the food was pretty good, and just what we needed on a crappy day. overall i liked this place, and will be going back to try a bit more food there. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_55">i'll</span> even bring my camera :Pjamesbluntknifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01611941733334322792noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156381736172853863.post-30251799286246745142008-08-03T23:13:00.001-07:002008-08-03T23:23:10.016-07:00this weeki had a pretty big weekend so i didn't get to go to any restaurants - friday i had a friend's birthday party at the deck (the pics aren't very special, and are mostly incriminating, so they're not going up on here. if you are on my facebook, then you'll have seen them/ be in them anyway).<br /><br />drinks consumed:<br />3 scotch and dry<br />4 glenmorangie and soda<br />2 tequila<br />1 tequila and tabasco (i highly recommend this).<br />1 quick-something<br />1 chartreuse<br /><br />drinks sequestered from others:<br />white wine (wooded chardonnay)<br />gin and tonic which i mistook for water<br />sctoches and bourbons<br /><br />3 berocca. oh, and eggs benedict, which are my new best friend ;)<br /><br /><br />as you can see, my detox went very well, thank you very much!<br /><br />in other news, i'm going to a pub this thursday for the best bangers and mash i have ever eaten (i'll review them either here or somewhere else perhaps, but they really are amazing), cooking eye fillet with baby potatoes friday for my girlfriend, bistro vue on saturday, and then not sure what else.<br /><br />i have to fit all of that in with gym (3 nights), squash (2 nights), <a href="http://hundredpushups.com/">a pushup challenge with a friend</a>, and work, of course. fun all round!<br /><br />otherwise, i have been having a read of other blogs. i'm only going to post one as it made me a bit curious about freedom of speech and all that jazz, in particular regarding a restaurant review:<br /><a href="http://ieatthereforeiam.blogspot.com/2008/07/anonymous-commenter.html#links"><br />http://ieatthereforeiam.blogspot.com/2008/07/anonymous-commenter.html#links </a><br /><br />i recommend having a read, as i don't know a lot of the legal ramifications, but i think it's rather interesting and comes at a time when bloggers are getting mainstream attention.<br /><br />til next time, jamesjamesbluntknifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01611941733334322792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156381736172853863.post-18821728884539583262008-07-28T04:03:00.000-07:002008-12-10T05:30:58.352-08:00malaysian food - it's no wonder i came back 5kgs heavier!these are in no particular order, mainly street foods and other goodness. i'll walk you through them ;)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsvMQRym3RQFx7MzUdp39H5JdFZp33tJwuU_XGXLZuTCDLHjtsBrdodlUgC5xT7Y6KnLpTQQg4nRFpXU7JWbaSwzRNlu-nT0x4A_OklRK3ADRkZip4aJJW5uFyj-WVrwmN2GpkgBqolsM/s1600-h/IMGP0919.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsvMQRym3RQFx7MzUdp39H5JdFZp33tJwuU_XGXLZuTCDLHjtsBrdodlUgC5xT7Y6KnLpTQQg4nRFpXU7JWbaSwzRNlu-nT0x4A_OklRK3ADRkZip4aJJW5uFyj-WVrwmN2GpkgBqolsM/s320/IMGP0919.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228039601794552802" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CUexrX-Qsv3uK86rNIRp_qkxZ4Tgc5yRJVnHo7Ift10Cy_ZJtmzhHlYG5IKwWKoi0WUyB3xmXgSWmSXyQOjsR2oMxWOTeTu6g8y1u7zf5tOpP8OvIaXcZor-c8l3I6o_r52QWyV0jy-l/s1600-h/IMGP1041.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CUexrX-Qsv3uK86rNIRp_qkxZ4Tgc5yRJVnHo7Ift10Cy_ZJtmzhHlYG5IKwWKoi0WUyB3xmXgSWmSXyQOjsR2oMxWOTeTu6g8y1u7zf5tOpP8OvIaXcZor-c8l3I6o_r52QWyV0jy-l/s320/IMGP1041.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228043788808470722" border="0" /></a><br />hooters chicken wings, singapore. yes the place is commercial, but i love the wings. too bad these ones weren't so great - i've made these at home from ingredients from the usa food store, and i think mine were better ;)<br /><br />next couple of pics: <a href="http://nosignboardseafood.com/">no signboard seafood</a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafrhb9Kr75N_X8uf8rDJu-DLZKejJpUJPNE_uNXjq6rSsEJFs68jZUDWXPWMHHrMXOFeLVVakuMWXb8zrxi4w1SeBoKZ4tQl21HSJQ2xJySQgWA554S1i19WWB-Sx6cyoGBv9hG7BYnu6/s1600-h/IMGP0971.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafrhb9Kr75N_X8uf8rDJu-DLZKejJpUJPNE_uNXjq6rSsEJFs68jZUDWXPWMHHrMXOFeLVVakuMWXb8zrxi4w1SeBoKZ4tQl21HSJQ2xJySQgWA554S1i19WWB-Sx6cyoGBv9hG7BYnu6/s320/IMGP0971.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228039606197748066" border="0" /></a>white pepper crab. this was soooo good, with heaps of pepper, garlic, and other bits.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHstmwYbT0MCO3_OWokoBVl2Mk27uDL6LunuIynYtRdBffk7S1er2MzHt1acVzYtEQmr6DG9nD3zZ95qs8bhUT_OJtfgJIq5SNWtHrWy3OmI-qJQURdU_2Hzizr6HnWSmwRmLEsS6_JmG/s1600-h/IMGP0973.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHstmwYbT0MCO3_OWokoBVl2Mk27uDL6LunuIynYtRdBffk7S1er2MzHt1acVzYtEQmr6DG9nD3zZ95qs8bhUT_OJtfgJIq5SNWtHrWy3OmI-qJQURdU_2Hzizr6HnWSmwRmLEsS6_JmG/s320/IMGP0973.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228041963205581570" border="0" /></a>chilli crab. not as spicy as i thought, but enough to give my lips a tingle. i preferred the white pepper though.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0eBSmLwTMwujdjjyZS0j3FjiDAIKEkQ0jSSrqD6OPID8aguXXZKBj3Nq-ZIp_oDaiThMGQEkLvqxfUjefL3b-aaUjvBWZf8D4MpzoJB_s5HPEkQo6zd3ylnvytUhyQIkvuIvX1yaZVYZj/s1600-h/IMGP0976.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0eBSmLwTMwujdjjyZS0j3FjiDAIKEkQ0jSSrqD6OPID8aguXXZKBj3Nq-ZIp_oDaiThMGQEkLvqxfUjefL3b-aaUjvBWZf8D4MpzoJB_s5HPEkQo6zd3ylnvytUhyQIkvuIvX1yaZVYZj/s320/IMGP0976.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228041969345235970" border="0" /></a>leftover bits and pieces. we greeded too much food and couldn't finish it all!<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0xTGECp-1sD3cI7KoesJzSXLcq3OHmXutUzQB3QjexcBC5uHq6BN2a7c9NRHanShOQOU-SAUi5AmOTTSd0MCHmBsT0yW-1wwFTjRLmPpE4OkmuvKjWV2lOzRpDLKg6eS3lb7ew7NZCx7/s1600-h/IMGP1014.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0xTGECp-1sD3cI7KoesJzSXLcq3OHmXutUzQB3QjexcBC5uHq6BN2a7c9NRHanShOQOU-SAUi5AmOTTSd0MCHmBsT0yW-1wwFTjRLmPpE4OkmuvKjWV2lOzRpDLKg6eS3lb7ew7NZCx7/s320/IMGP1014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228041979978087218" border="0" /></a><br />white turnip cake (carrot cake), i forget the correct name for this...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgduSdTb5z789v4zYiDd8dIJmGmk95d9jKvX7LwOHeZOs14VKRIN2jI915v6JLpWKp5bg8R1wv-L1b1TXBFSZ3NZD1IlFjHGhso9urH8gFSr6mMy9WC1RYJp7B559SW1PNcOxSWbD80xQ_G/s1600-h/IMGP1021.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgduSdTb5z789v4zYiDd8dIJmGmk95d9jKvX7LwOHeZOs14VKRIN2jI915v6JLpWKp5bg8R1wv-L1b1TXBFSZ3NZD1IlFjHGhso9urH8gFSr6mMy9WC1RYJp7B559SW1PNcOxSWbD80xQ_G/s320/IMGP1021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228041988127368034" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXlNGkD9XSG4MMYSzzSLkYuM-Hoiv9rRtnuuLtJB22AxgD2vJR4lSPayX1LsCfodXCHICyjsoJb2vVOJ0M1uBQor98-PnU_Cb5F-hYUf0YJlssBdUQ3KH9H_4Vj1SnBg0gj6jwFAuFGd-/s1600-h/IMGP0888.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXlNGkD9XSG4MMYSzzSLkYuM-Hoiv9rRtnuuLtJB22AxgD2vJR4lSPayX1LsCfodXCHICyjsoJb2vVOJ0M1uBQor98-PnU_Cb5F-hYUf0YJlssBdUQ3KH9H_4Vj1SnBg0gj6jwFAuFGd-/s320/IMGP0888.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228039594315058786" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YGkYIHuUulDDuTuYcClh470EveL5bVFxD6OzFTvjzGOZDgB9jkA0-n9sgT9UnepUThHNBvMhfClGHOBOm8cUxwoSmis_c70lhONTs396lW96yRgYFSiai2YR_oF0Q7IcpsL04dajqQdC/s1600-h/IMGP0889.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YGkYIHuUulDDuTuYcClh470EveL5bVFxD6OzFTvjzGOZDgB9jkA0-n9sgT9UnepUThHNBvMhfClGHOBOm8cUxwoSmis_c70lhONTs396lW96yRgYFSiai2YR_oF0Q7IcpsL04dajqQdC/s320/IMGP0889.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228039596464804770" border="0" /></a><br />grilled stingray, at wong a wah, on jalan alor street in malaysia. this is a dedicated food street and has lots of eateries.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnFWnYlEkWaWQiUGCq6Lhp_auz_fTC-2U_E42Gsawk-GHzWNX_3VQPQjwyKHzo872aWwRFOJhPQe2J1OXFoBgMP6y6GFrzJQWRBbo9rq6rzOWL2Goy1qkFFLWNMhHZiuD-Im2-fcGvJHN/s1600-h/IMGP0670.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnFWnYlEkWaWQiUGCq6Lhp_auz_fTC-2U_E42Gsawk-GHzWNX_3VQPQjwyKHzo872aWwRFOJhPQe2J1OXFoBgMP6y6GFrzJQWRBbo9rq6rzOWL2Goy1qkFFLWNMhHZiuD-Im2-fcGvJHN/s320/IMGP0670.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228021203918736562" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJOWqcjC_MEj985YIspA2rhB66NoW-wEtHqD7HVjBdqPPzHgx88hnnxYgRuH9eJNFVjAft6S5GjVTl7GujDD-VUgIPXasC_zShLwEIWRRfibc56aStTHH_R8Jca28ReoaQfeFrkSHGAm7/s1600-h/IMGP0881.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJOWqcjC_MEj985YIspA2rhB66NoW-wEtHqD7HVjBdqPPzHgx88hnnxYgRuH9eJNFVjAft6S5GjVTl7GujDD-VUgIPXasC_zShLwEIWRRfibc56aStTHH_R8Jca28ReoaQfeFrkSHGAm7/s320/IMGP0881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228036348018441874" border="0" /></a><br />grilled chicken wings, also at wong a wah. these were amazing - marinated in soy and other bits, and then roasted over charcoal.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjska08QecU4w-Ze2ij61PGZQc18xY5j9RI8pc9jc5H9Cw452nC7F70GikttOh-S9DuJfUxZkt0RUrvoRQsQy_dvg8W06jY-7rdEsWcolqcPlLy27wO-aHqgkj6OwemYZ0xwoPoCJUkgRtW/s1600-h/IMGP0885.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjska08QecU4w-Ze2ij61PGZQc18xY5j9RI8pc9jc5H9Cw452nC7F70GikttOh-S9DuJfUxZkt0RUrvoRQsQy_dvg8W06jY-7rdEsWcolqcPlLy27wO-aHqgkj6OwemYZ0xwoPoCJUkgRtW/s320/IMGP0885.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228036369294649154" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdQMzFH5ZHKX7vVnKnl3QOBrqvE3L8T0HDfKexua-5oegnRyhsDWS29lMoyvXl_42kd7vrdGGMepotsSR38mD0icBUn40RxJiZF8IoIdlOuVHB3nm9WuCeaPo4Ojs-N6mdDItd2ETFrSh/s1600-h/IMGP0886.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdQMzFH5ZHKX7vVnKnl3QOBrqvE3L8T0HDfKexua-5oegnRyhsDWS29lMoyvXl_42kd7vrdGGMepotsSR38mD0icBUn40RxJiZF8IoIdlOuVHB3nm9WuCeaPo4Ojs-N6mdDItd2ETFrSh/s320/IMGP0886.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228036372643684850" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8yFLq7SsBw6DRgW5rpx3Ho2ZQjVww1sJpiqNSj5LkiYNdcsDQv4fGbGx7uF_354aiNUNiWwqDJZbhKDqxfUGB4emMtht91ryq5TYeA3RjrprkoQkRnF7ufA0VD9R0_WjWhJyh8FAgexC/s1600-h/IMGP0854.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8yFLq7SsBw6DRgW5rpx3Ho2ZQjVww1sJpiqNSj5LkiYNdcsDQv4fGbGx7uF_354aiNUNiWwqDJZbhKDqxfUGB4emMtht91ryq5TYeA3RjrprkoQkRnF7ufA0VD9R0_WjWhJyh8FAgexC/s320/IMGP0854.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228033449707130786" border="0" /></a>muai ge - a jelly like snack covered with crushed peanuts.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaaX5sPYIsY8vhXkJHIJAOq_RVf_IjX0k1jTjb9xkF0EldhUdU6CQwLs95l2_lmUuVAXZ8Ofv6BjrJGIeBfhsEFLl85MmlQp2fvNL6IPBpMfCRuOVWlckBDM-ntWAQjEZg7lq68xaZ_dkE/s1600-h/IMGP0856.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaaX5sPYIsY8vhXkJHIJAOq_RVf_IjX0k1jTjb9xkF0EldhUdU6CQwLs95l2_lmUuVAXZ8Ofv6BjrJGIeBfhsEFLl85MmlQp2fvNL6IPBpMfCRuOVWlckBDM-ntWAQjEZg7lq68xaZ_dkE/s320/IMGP0856.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228033459023733586" border="0" /></a>CKT, of course! this was in penang. no blood cockles though. lucky for me - the texture was not so great for me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWTPf0QiWV1gZXyg2hpS3S0NhwnXpY9tZuQr4z4oSOEcQY5EIlJ1hfg_e3tfAJNM6jSZerTF0V-_Jq9SZqYzP7Wd1lkSSjaW4k_B6mCETXQ8X8qiNpGeLRLqxU-TAG-UaS-tQivAhqf0z/s1600-h/IMGP0857.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWTPf0QiWV1gZXyg2hpS3S0NhwnXpY9tZuQr4z4oSOEcQY5EIlJ1hfg_e3tfAJNM6jSZerTF0V-_Jq9SZqYzP7Wd1lkSSjaW4k_B6mCETXQ8X8qiNpGeLRLqxU-TAG-UaS-tQivAhqf0z/s320/IMGP0857.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228033466435583282" border="0" /></a><br />of course, no trip to malaysia is complete without satay skewers<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqV2n_9hbx979auvj3-8VTC7-9OKMyVJsKDVKoA4yBYgPmrLo2blAMsiqYXGBnP1bEfd_HORMOy-tl4FVad5_K3CWk0cNdJAdIVif6rwMA9_3rGGcOhPQa9AnqBF6b_lgeIeBdEvpteJ2R/s1600-h/IMGP0858.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqV2n_9hbx979auvj3-8VTC7-9OKMyVJsKDVKoA4yBYgPmrLo2blAMsiqYXGBnP1bEfd_HORMOy-tl4FVad5_K3CWk0cNdJAdIVif6rwMA9_3rGGcOhPQa9AnqBF6b_lgeIeBdEvpteJ2R/s320/IMGP0858.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228033474742336114" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDPgCuu47luDYm5tMQr29K5eSwk45_WhCs-bdz0oGXwAKuA_u2O1ZUbeNn3CRYa8KxWMprGavNLQYPouN19fsY6Llss-2SLPU10YVcwfhRpqo9BgvuXujYaBqzY0ea-6zR9w7NPLSAi7ZY/s1600-h/IMGP0859.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDPgCuu47luDYm5tMQr29K5eSwk45_WhCs-bdz0oGXwAKuA_u2O1ZUbeNn3CRYa8KxWMprGavNLQYPouN19fsY6Llss-2SLPU10YVcwfhRpqo9BgvuXujYaBqzY0ea-6zR9w7NPLSAi7ZY/s320/IMGP0859.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228033474912831938" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHhBar4dZUpzewV33lQ-2EyqFMULHeCzj_4NjqSIlGb-vg4dzGBLkqIj9RnGE4OJqVyAfvgZ-c2bev6mpm48R60ks07SpSaP3QLNj2tMuGN-BljJhksd8WS9HmveoFmRvkI2FDjESD6Cy/s1600-h/IMGP0826.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHhBar4dZUpzewV33lQ-2EyqFMULHeCzj_4NjqSIlGb-vg4dzGBLkqIj9RnGE4OJqVyAfvgZ-c2bev6mpm48R60ks07SpSaP3QLNj2tMuGN-BljJhksd8WS9HmveoFmRvkI2FDjESD6Cy/s320/IMGP0826.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228031396468867554" border="0" /></a><br />chicken drumstick in herbal broth. this was my traditional hangover food in penang. not too bad overall.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-KzvRx9TbmWY191DcIQrLgqEz7G5r_0Zjx9X9D58AhFk7H2z7yHab0vIsgCw09lLN5E_FXNW9lalUwUE97Wg3UlNMYhE1onruGeca2rVCdpYjR4eTZfa2EXJl4XxDjOrklJqHgH_3fRG/s1600-h/IMGP0849.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-KzvRx9TbmWY191DcIQrLgqEz7G5r_0Zjx9X9D58AhFk7H2z7yHab0vIsgCw09lLN5E_FXNW9lalUwUE97Wg3UlNMYhE1onruGeca2rVCdpYjR4eTZfa2EXJl4XxDjOrklJqHgH_3fRG/s320/IMGP0849.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228031405016185698" border="0" /></a><br />penang food court...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjpGz7pDvcRFLWW5ydaEz19eH0zfeIC38F22r3ZJVC6Ix5aNuGd97Qi5TdDhMhyphenhyphen0fMdIMJAfbBWaeGqMYHdlQ14jd3g8uKrSFfHthfr5VKt4mnr39O6tbx7vOp2oqagCeevRPbEF2Ft5t/s1600-h/IMGP0851.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjpGz7pDvcRFLWW5ydaEz19eH0zfeIC38F22r3ZJVC6Ix5aNuGd97Qi5TdDhMhyphenhyphen0fMdIMJAfbBWaeGqMYHdlQ14jd3g8uKrSFfHthfr5VKt4mnr39O6tbx7vOp2oqagCeevRPbEF2Ft5t/s320/IMGP0851.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228031414886504802" border="0" /></a><br /><br />assam laksa. think of normal laksa, but no coconut milk. it was a bit bitter, and the stock (prawn) was a bit funky.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5__H5y3QldF_TQ6mHBzejElJVYxeujWYDWE9doRIdrsT_HaCtcmpr0OeH08aEmB6RtHbz8S1bvOtokXzuRqQ0IJ3UHKiz9VjKhJ9fPH14QpkfJFfmWoCeDmDTs9es5Xp3mZrig9i5ZsA/s1600-h/IMGP0853.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5__H5y3QldF_TQ6mHBzejElJVYxeujWYDWE9doRIdrsT_HaCtcmpr0OeH08aEmB6RtHbz8S1bvOtokXzuRqQ0IJ3UHKiz9VjKhJ9fPH14QpkfJFfmWoCeDmDTs9es5Xp3mZrig9i5ZsA/s320/IMGP0853.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228031420307072226" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wIjb3Nag10Ub9iVyksmE9IVOIuW3VXwu21F3CXNv4szVaYUc9hyphenhyphennf1iXLyGRJhEhnUM5h3teOP7OFbKP3ZTu4Ozr7A-DuPqSqJYGXydxtlmSUjRXfiJ_C9LBFEysEZRCECcogI3Lcpen/s1600-h/IMGP0850.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wIjb3Nag10Ub9iVyksmE9IVOIuW3VXwu21F3CXNv4szVaYUc9hyphenhyphennf1iXLyGRJhEhnUM5h3teOP7OFbKP3ZTu4Ozr7A-DuPqSqJYGXydxtlmSUjRXfiJ_C9LBFEysEZRCECcogI3Lcpen/s320/IMGP0850.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228031425519342866" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzBg_I1uoTXEdA4YeGQqX-SWl4woOCaWaxE5u3NC7d8EzCiBLcxf3U6dS1Dm_42rPAq67Y5Xe_NjMzgX8Rlnt0vta4csLo8-dOapc_FwtDGfWTuRf7pz1WcjMBIRrGA1eaeHpq-P4LgF0/s1600-h/IMGP0786.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzBg_I1uoTXEdA4YeGQqX-SWl4woOCaWaxE5u3NC7d8EzCiBLcxf3U6dS1Dm_42rPAq67Y5Xe_NjMzgX8Rlnt0vta4csLo8-dOapc_FwtDGfWTuRf7pz1WcjMBIRrGA1eaeHpq-P4LgF0/s320/IMGP0786.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228028539272256114" border="0" /></a><br />jamon serrano with cantaloupe at el cerdo, in malaysia.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTxHe7DWV4VfUbPYMsWPYPkjqyddaPr7kdKEkyQLN7z1SwH4tS_9oUFvA6r64ajRb9kEYsZD8fu9feoI9ZeKGebJFpKx2T7clDbqZ-GKf0_el3S5RsksyhdD9m6ieFjTn8ymnmawNABMf/s1600-h/IMGP0787.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTxHe7DWV4VfUbPYMsWPYPkjqyddaPr7kdKEkyQLN7z1SwH4tS_9oUFvA6r64ajRb9kEYsZD8fu9feoI9ZeKGebJFpKx2T7clDbqZ-GKf0_el3S5RsksyhdD9m6ieFjTn8ymnmawNABMf/s320/IMGP0787.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228028547364568210" border="0" /></a><br />half a suckling pig. mmm, piggie!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5M2VKpey1LgadXnbel3bH-nv80TSf9gs-8N40DAfvPglFXWKinSrKX-k5W9vChcF7eYItTXZXDZ_C93yCGqo6DECNFUlxGZxYZzzcsY-JI_M_jJzv47fDS3Co6DfSH7PGsYI7w3rZIfg/s1600-h/IMGP0811.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5M2VKpey1LgadXnbel3bH-nv80TSf9gs-8N40DAfvPglFXWKinSrKX-k5W9vChcF7eYItTXZXDZ_C93yCGqo6DECNFUlxGZxYZzzcsY-JI_M_jJzv47fDS3Co6DfSH7PGsYI7w3rZIfg/s320/IMGP0811.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228028551026068546" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNL4Dfv5rbuSsgPdLTyacMUz0K1npUhwc9jo_D3cuhvfqUyYUje70i6VIYCGWPdou0uxYWzk47MT6gNVe0iO3WVUQSd9QLTAiNKzUIvWQBXEPWmbrdNXpRlXymfeUQhQSvLd8XvJWdyJ6I/s1600-h/IMGP0815.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNL4Dfv5rbuSsgPdLTyacMUz0K1npUhwc9jo_D3cuhvfqUyYUje70i6VIYCGWPdou0uxYWzk47MT6gNVe0iO3WVUQSd9QLTAiNKzUIvWQBXEPWmbrdNXpRlXymfeUQhQSvLd8XvJWdyJ6I/s320/IMGP0815.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228028556814030978" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LgHMvWVuW2kTHeO0CoOmqmsfgJmFrhSeK7ZVnLYr8vS7mUp114iRMdL6GOlFlDhtteI-LpoVTf_EkRUhuayXdL2jOonBeQjGMVnAtrGdT82v8IVV4kNCGcXM58ozNM_Zkt6GEGetI0IK/s1600-h/IMGP0818.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LgHMvWVuW2kTHeO0CoOmqmsfgJmFrhSeK7ZVnLYr8vS7mUp114iRMdL6GOlFlDhtteI-LpoVTf_EkRUhuayXdL2jOonBeQjGMVnAtrGdT82v8IVV4kNCGcXM58ozNM_Zkt6GEGetI0IK/s320/IMGP0818.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228028564307726034" border="0" /></a>oyster omelette. the omelette was great, but i didn't like the oysters. it looked so tempting i chose to ignor ethe fact that i dislike oysters. d'oh!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwh8ZbRKWRaQKoHrCrgzn9IAjvnZV620_Yomb5wwOteHMLbqBn40QpxJnBSL9dPGSOgMeN5OlDyGVAxKggYDC830XqRSq3dVzngt-DxvtS_Z92iC4u9qVUiUWFEiapig5P3c0hvYalEngn/s1600-h/IMGP0710.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwh8ZbRKWRaQKoHrCrgzn9IAjvnZV620_Yomb5wwOteHMLbqBn40QpxJnBSL9dPGSOgMeN5OlDyGVAxKggYDC830XqRSq3dVzngt-DxvtS_Z92iC4u9qVUiUWFEiapig5P3c0hvYalEngn/s320/IMGP0710.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228026068182250050" border="0" /></a>roti chanai - this was our morning ritual while we were in KL - for 1 ringgit (30 cents aussie), you get a nice breakfast.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhuYw2Dy2Ku-9s54TAHJ9KVESDSTP-eqmiMyEPGJTdWJhQJhjyua5g7-98LsXbmTyDneiMPklbMKIZCEtHR7zuyXWRgjVLeiHlmVipNUzV-uxpoxb3k5f5OIUcI133uM9EGR_PT3afjkW/s1600-h/IMGP0714.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhuYw2Dy2Ku-9s54TAHJ9KVESDSTP-eqmiMyEPGJTdWJhQJhjyua5g7-98LsXbmTyDneiMPklbMKIZCEtHR7zuyXWRgjVLeiHlmVipNUzV-uxpoxb3k5f5OIUcI133uM9EGR_PT3afjkW/s320/IMGP0714.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228026081296036962" border="0" /></a><br />parathi? i'm not sure - we pointed at something someone else was having, and then they brought one for us. no idea what it was.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVT2LzqbB-5xrBHNb0Aa0m8oJCN54pcifutJOdOCtsHnR8IoEpML8znyh4lB-r-JZsAfrDEXAbhc2wjn-D7YPN5u0PtgLiMy2hX7ho1MlZQgynliszdgUPbhs5eoxvdm6wkAr6bs7dZqx/s1600-h/IMGP0718.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVT2LzqbB-5xrBHNb0Aa0m8oJCN54pcifutJOdOCtsHnR8IoEpML8znyh4lB-r-JZsAfrDEXAbhc2wjn-D7YPN5u0PtgLiMy2hX7ho1MlZQgynliszdgUPbhs5eoxvdm6wkAr6bs7dZqx/s320/IMGP0718.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228026085089722722" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsxqpOa2dfBTlyk4yAY8XxZ8c07dB7Z2PRHfioa1Ubd1GDOEcTb2k7cQfzH7rfMoY8iKH-7P91CVl7_kD8a458BGgzWTyujGcC2FP5w_z-SgcgIfeK_rBab7SlBMbjrDUQTHRiy1YzOY4/s1600-h/IMGP0721.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsxqpOa2dfBTlyk4yAY8XxZ8c07dB7Z2PRHfioa1Ubd1GDOEcTb2k7cQfzH7rfMoY8iKH-7P91CVl7_kD8a458BGgzWTyujGcC2FP5w_z-SgcgIfeK_rBab7SlBMbjrDUQTHRiy1YzOY4/s320/IMGP0721.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228026095089308178" border="0" /></a>durian pancakes. very nice, but a little bitter at the end. needed more durian.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrUmivhsCnzAoqRuMwYCHWjvsby4JlJrgzkJVFuRQKINbtNviC4xm_MT0A4bZ-eTVR26O4lc62qgmxQIkaH-CZ0Q6ckmnJfcOCSoqcS207xw49yIad3_KdQzPmNwrHhX2B3tu2d67kDtJ/s1600-h/IMGP0723.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrUmivhsCnzAoqRuMwYCHWjvsby4JlJrgzkJVFuRQKINbtNviC4xm_MT0A4bZ-eTVR26O4lc62qgmxQIkaH-CZ0Q6ckmnJfcOCSoqcS207xw49yIad3_KdQzPmNwrHhX2B3tu2d67kDtJ/s320/IMGP0723.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228026096633009698" border="0" /></a><br />below: yong tau foo.<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fyPP3N9EZFZexlAYmVevi8o2kE7GkgMiLqXBMcpHRJC4d1Jo1uXL61ymCzeLIw_e_9IDUq2RuKmTkNvWV9WYMIWIk_qs1rigAJcayLYwtmUTFBYLBaJKR_lmPEFOo6N3e6WlBrriAO-q/s1600-h/IMGP0691.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fyPP3N9EZFZexlAYmVevi8o2kE7GkgMiLqXBMcpHRJC4d1Jo1uXL61ymCzeLIw_e_9IDUq2RuKmTkNvWV9WYMIWIk_qs1rigAJcayLYwtmUTFBYLBaJKR_lmPEFOo6N3e6WlBrriAO-q/s320/IMGP0691.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228023255580896546" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2HP-4U8R890NVT9phBZpEsrOI7TPDZq20wMgxXJhefLqVubOguKPA89x0EU1fE3Mai2vbts3jtUSYJ4LILZCrm4hyphenhyphenF7cPwmHbrpa3A1V6VpWxvD-yfF_BB2hpnsDNgZGAC4HvXQEvhv4/s1600-h/IMGP0692.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2HP-4U8R890NVT9phBZpEsrOI7TPDZq20wMgxXJhefLqVubOguKPA89x0EU1fE3Mai2vbts3jtUSYJ4LILZCrm4hyphenhyphenF7cPwmHbrpa3A1V6VpWxvD-yfF_BB2hpnsDNgZGAC4HvXQEvhv4/s320/IMGP0692.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228023265204838066" border="0" /></a>siew yew - i can never spell this correctly,<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7QpofUFh9vdHp1d8Nb9nc5xlit2_Val96RHO1zflX2GA6FPp_tU6RvnpsdDidOrRVG8i0fW1QWFMZb9yDxuOg26VScVbNfdL56jJ3_OGS4POXHDTibgiqv27HnL21iq7ZNrj8UMeqAvp/s1600-h/IMGP0682.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7QpofUFh9vdHp1d8Nb9nc5xlit2_Val96RHO1zflX2GA6FPp_tU6RvnpsdDidOrRVG8i0fW1QWFMZb9yDxuOg26VScVbNfdL56jJ3_OGS4POXHDTibgiqv27HnL21iq7ZNrj8UMeqAvp/s320/IMGP0682.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228021209850501890" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBK5BObitfspgb7NMDxI791NN5NJx-KbDpy3_bUCoSR5QLyTgRf8oQIKyk7nCADYRWzWSgOY1wyZOaEwwjxpBrRCSOT5zkBS3IHBoJB6nq31T0ByP247Z-rMSdIg8zfz7AEdzqsAaQTtG/s1600-h/IMGP0683.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBK5BObitfspgb7NMDxI791NN5NJx-KbDpy3_bUCoSR5QLyTgRf8oQIKyk7nCADYRWzWSgOY1wyZOaEwwjxpBrRCSOT5zkBS3IHBoJB6nq31T0ByP247Z-rMSdIg8zfz7AEdzqsAaQTtG/s320/IMGP0683.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228021215859783554" border="0" /></a>jamesbluntknifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01611941733334322792noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156381736172853863.post-64495248962255463052008-07-28T03:25:00.000-07:002008-12-10T05:31:00.020-08:00tutto bene goodnesslast saturday, i went to check out tutto bene. i'd read some good reviews, and since i haven't had risotto for a long time (ever), i figured it was worth a try.<br /><br />to be honest, i don't normally eat italian. i have problems with eating a lot of carbs (i guess that explains my problems gaining weight in the gym), and so, i rarely make it at home.<br /><br />so really, my recent foray into italian food can be attributed to toto's on lygon, where i had a very nice gnocchi, that changed my entire outlook on italian foods. now, it's gone from a misunderstood cousin, to a loved brother in law.<br /><br />i'll stop rambling now, shall i?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgm3VzdRKc8QhllyM3oAhledbT3tjoft2_4_drXfdBC1DbiK-a5ShLZ_8bIndydE_4d2u4WhZ8cjuA0RL4XZcP7RVqpXfqBLjFvyFc18yphVnNMY2EyA8lw1thREvEBwZcTLfRMmJVksb/s1600-h/IMG_1982.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgm3VzdRKc8QhllyM3oAhledbT3tjoft2_4_drXfdBC1DbiK-a5ShLZ_8bIndydE_4d2u4WhZ8cjuA0RL4XZcP7RVqpXfqBLjFvyFc18yphVnNMY2EyA8lw1thREvEBwZcTLfRMmJVksb/s320/IMG_1982.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228012446800804162" border="0" /></a><br />we ended up making this starter ourselves for two reasons. firstly, we didn't want a heavy meal that was too full on, and secondly, we weren't sure how big the risottos were. we had been told that the servings were tiny and not very filling. we even had the backup plan of rockpool for burgers afterwards if we were still hungry.<br /><br />from left to right:<br /><br />Salsicce rosso - Spicy roasted capsicum infused<br />pork sausage, Baccala fritto - Crispy fried salted cod with fresh<br />vegetable giardiniera, Olive Ascolane - Traditional Marche region meat filled,<br />crumbed and fried green olives. the significant other doesn't like olives, so i only got one. i think the olives were a bit of a miss, but the sausage was worth getting. i would order it again in a heartbeat, as it was tender and juicy, and full of flavour.<br /><br />on to the risottos:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUGV1Y0aKNzY8AtPdFRh9_U5dc8aiQ30FaL3WCUPBNGLJ5GEZefQGQYCCd5NXIP4SdIwIcluVZxOu2Tkng5vLhVZRzuRZrtqfR0iTAHmZxCvmjFHnU1YA4UPvG5YJXNp0DHSRh3tJ04os/s1600-h/IMG_1984.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUGV1Y0aKNzY8AtPdFRh9_U5dc8aiQ30FaL3WCUPBNGLJ5GEZefQGQYCCd5NXIP4SdIwIcluVZxOu2Tkng5vLhVZRzuRZrtqfR0iTAHmZxCvmjFHnU1YA4UPvG5YJXNp0DHSRh3tJ04os/s320/IMG_1984.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228012443570758754" border="0" /></a>Granchio con pomodoro e peperoncino - Blue swimmer crab with tomato and chilli<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6evz-_w6KdSCUs-FAzGz2xaA38GUMbesgn3K2o8Ihz4XU2vr8PjTFKEg4MP1BRfBDiH_TAHdRQuSqt0OygE5oEtF-zMD4vhiBjyuiMA9KDR58T-N4uTbltb4lOu-3RI0W-S_YuHECPnY/s1600-h/IMG_1985.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6evz-_w6KdSCUs-FAzGz2xaA38GUMbesgn3K2o8Ihz4XU2vr8PjTFKEg4MP1BRfBDiH_TAHdRQuSqt0OygE5oEtF-zMD4vhiBjyuiMA9KDR58T-N4uTbltb4lOu-3RI0W-S_YuHECPnY/s320/IMG_1985.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228012444844879634" border="0" /></a>Al Presidente - A unique combination of 3 year old parmigiano and balsamic vinegar, produced from a 1912 mother must, created by our chef for the Italian President visiting Australia<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1YppM3JxUbX6o7p32B6_CxgHZPAtsoX1A2VhFOgpbVVcGYewNcFyTAYNFgEyib9O_jVFFNJgUe8ax6TDsfVZNRDG8bttkgpt4d_oDFx_Trrp6pkbikcqAb_ZsH8LsQ6MNtodaahrRv-O/s1600-h/IMG_1987.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1YppM3JxUbX6o7p32B6_CxgHZPAtsoX1A2VhFOgpbVVcGYewNcFyTAYNFgEyib9O_jVFFNJgUe8ax6TDsfVZNRDG8bttkgpt4d_oDFx_Trrp6pkbikcqAb_ZsH8LsQ6MNtodaahrRv-O/s320/IMG_1987.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228012440623228642" border="0" /></a>Ruchetta selvatica con scaglie di parmigiano, olio e limone - Wild rocket with extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, lemon and parmigiano<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3y-aN-eXZRh7YCjOyUbVQTqnUTDjWHIxH4P3uI5T13B8oLx6362hJ3WlUNCpbkW5fkq2EM9r-Zdf6pb_JNUG1QtPD1vAbi-SC0l04KjjUCRSk1tERi9rIs4lef5ruGHuxmF6avFLZZtFB/s1600-h/IMG_1995.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3y-aN-eXZRh7YCjOyUbVQTqnUTDjWHIxH4P3uI5T13B8oLx6362hJ3WlUNCpbkW5fkq2EM9r-Zdf6pb_JNUG1QtPD1vAbi-SC0l04KjjUCRSk1tERi9rIs4lef5ruGHuxmF6avFLZZtFB/s320/IMG_1995.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228012434576009218" border="0" /></a>Coppa di gelati misti- a selection from our artisan produced authentic Italian gelato (in this case mandarin, rum & raisin, and blackcurrant).<br /><br />so i took these descriptions off the menu.<br /><br />let's break it down:<br /><br />the starters were ok, sausage was really good and highly recommended.<br /><br />the salad (only i ate it), was quite good, the rocket giving a good hit. i've never really had rocket as i think it's a bit wanky, but this was nice and i would think about making this at home. this is what food should be about - good ingredients, served simply. having said that, there was a couple of brown leaves in the salad that should not have been there. also, at times there was just too much lemon juice on the leaves even after tossing them, and it made me grimace (which got a few laughs).<br /><br />the swimmer crab risotto that my girlfriend had was very rich. it was very good, but oh so filling. she didn't finish it, it was so much.<br /><br />the al presidente was great, which i expected. it was a little bit too rich, even though i finished it all. i'm a country boy at heart, and have to eat everything on my plate. i had a crack at the swimmer crab risotto afterwards, but it bested even me.<br /><br />so i guess the rockpool burgers will have to wait until newt time!jamesbluntknifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01611941733334322792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156381736172853863.post-41046092327196992432008-07-28T02:38:00.000-07:002008-12-10T05:31:00.602-08:00honeycomb cheesecake pics<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsmnPNjGn84u1zuS8Aiu6g-57q4c0Jhjrg9pQIJX2VeNE_xybZLDEC1Ze4sZ1wGAYqC1YZKDopbOEAuv3ovuJWQMgZVujpF1-QsFjB1YphS7UmXz_owzIGv4HD27-M4l00jOsuVcghvst/s1600-h/IMGP1212.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsmnPNjGn84u1zuS8Aiu6g-57q4c0Jhjrg9pQIJX2VeNE_xybZLDEC1Ze4sZ1wGAYqC1YZKDopbOEAuv3ovuJWQMgZVujpF1-QsFjB1YphS7UmXz_owzIGv4HD27-M4l00jOsuVcghvst/s320/IMGP1212.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228001100294134338" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLoVq1YU2lSRzwTaH4aHWd60LM4q3AB9slinnfZjWWCgVERwkgDsI8SdVrSstWjNq985GSGgwfzbhNNWcFqWAwh_4H2M96MvZ4eodHMkC5mw9pVpNXfA0FyDewAzcr25uGuacYk-qSGXSM/s1600-h/IMGP1214.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLoVq1YU2lSRzwTaH4aHWd60LM4q3AB9slinnfZjWWCgVERwkgDsI8SdVrSstWjNq985GSGgwfzbhNNWcFqWAwh_4H2M96MvZ4eodHMkC5mw9pVpNXfA0FyDewAzcr25uGuacYk-qSGXSM/s320/IMGP1214.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228001108011824530" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOb54PcYprR0rwm7WL4lBVTWSLB-_fFUoVFqNwp_96ZIIxph3Q1dnQiVIhaUdB5nw43V6ayVCRKpNX5FHMjOyTeiQ1qIcrfpOlqWXCdzFZeR2QVqCRRJracFipeB5Ov62thCX4l6-Q5yA/s1600-h/IMGP1216.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOb54PcYprR0rwm7WL4lBVTWSLB-_fFUoVFqNwp_96ZIIxph3Q1dnQiVIhaUdB5nw43V6ayVCRKpNX5FHMjOyTeiQ1qIcrfpOlqWXCdzFZeR2QVqCRRJracFipeB5Ov62thCX4l6-Q5yA/s320/IMGP1216.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228001114936972258" border="0" /></a><br />these are all the pics from the honeycomb cheesecake...<br /><br />i ended up making it for a work party. unfortunately for me, i was kinda hungover, and being destroyed from squash to even make it worse! what can i say, i'm a sucker - we haven't played squash for 2 months, so what do we do? go in for 2 hours for a bash!<br /><br />luckily for me, it's dead easy, looks ok, and tastes great!jamesbluntknifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01611941733334322792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156381736172853863.post-53601694117464008652008-07-23T22:58:00.000-07:002008-07-23T23:01:50.045-07:00honeycomb cheesecakeThis is my sister's tried and true honeycomb cheesecake recipe.<br /><br />Pics to come this saturday/sunday (i want to make a good one first). anyway, i think my point is that if a total food klutz like i ca make this, then anyone can. and it really does taste great!<br /> <p class="MsoNormal">Honeycomb cheesecake.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Base:<br />2/3 pack chocolate ripple biscuits (double pack size)<br />80 grams butter (melted)<o:p><br /></o:p></p> <ol style="margin-top: 0cm;" start="1" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="">crush biscuits</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">melt butter, and stir in with biscuits.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">press into 20 cm spring form round tin (greased).</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">put in fridge to harden.<o:p><br /></o:p></li></ol> <p class="MsoNormal">Filling:</p> <p class="MsoNormal">500 g cream cheese (needs to be warmed to room temp)<br />¾ cup castor sugar<br />3 teaspoons gelatine (or sachet)<br />1/3 cup boiling water<br />Juice of ½ a lemon<br />300 mls cream (beaten to soft peaks)<br />3 violet crumble bars/family pack, crushed.<o:p><br /></o:p></p> <ol style="margin-top: 0cm;" start="1" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="">beat cream cheese and castor sugar.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">melt gelatine in boiling water until dissolved. Stir constantly. Cool in fridge or freezer to room temp.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">stir the following into cream cheese mix: whipped cream, lemon juice, gelatine.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">mix in violet crumble.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">remove base from fridge (check to ensure set).</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">pour filling into tin.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">refrigerate at least 4 hours (or overnight).<o:p><br /></o:p></li></ol> <p class="MsoNormal">Options:</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Get 600ml cream, and use remaining 300 to whip and cover cheesecake. Can sprinkle left over violet crumble.<o:p><br /></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">If not using non-stick, put a hot wet tea towel around outside for a few minutes.</p>jamesbluntknifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01611941733334322792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156381736172853863.post-17953970626940297862008-07-17T03:58:00.000-07:002008-12-10T05:31:02.768-08:00nobu, nobme<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_rrCT-ntOQTKjOgr7Gsj470LXle9LMPYTi6axWQKugfedSRCyTTHIEV70BJTZDVtZv0BHOi9muq1Hgw9E3VLJaEqtpIKjMT1fXdfO7ObJcSwx8bLk43h8wIWnABE_LhKqAKq4VSHhP00/s1600-h/IMGP1132.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_rrCT-ntOQTKjOgr7Gsj470LXle9LMPYTi6axWQKugfedSRCyTTHIEV70BJTZDVtZv0BHOi9muq1Hgw9E3VLJaEqtpIKjMT1fXdfO7ObJcSwx8bLk43h8wIWnABE_LhKqAKq4VSHhP00/s320/IMGP1132.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223941516516394050" border="0" /></a>I've been taking a bit of time to write this, so that i don't come across as hard, disappointed, even disillusioned. You see, i don't think i had the best of times there, and unfortunately, a lot of disgruntled food <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">bloggers</span> had the same experience as i did.<br /><br />let it be said, the food is amazing. it was the sort of food you dream about for weeks to come. we're talking transcendence, people. the highlights were definitely the first two dishes. but the ambiance, well, what ambiance? if i am going to a restaurant to the caliber of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">nobu</span>, i expect the experience to not just be about the food, but the place itself.<br /><br />having said that, i was seated on the lower level of the restaurant. to be honest, i still can't believe how loud it was. we were sitting opposite each other, merely 1 metre away, and still couldn't hear each other talk. we had to basically enjoy the food, and ignore the atmosphere.<br /><br /><br />first cold dish: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">yellowtail</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">sashimi</span> with jalapeno and coriander. this dish was amazing, with perfect flavours, and incredibly sweet, firm flesh. yum!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUpp3DDI79-R-W_UoG4OP0v2LeRNL6eedWO2Od_rWgx2Bswem-c7iqC9kmaCRDZqZxGEGXy_vGec0u73hKetYv0bN_Af9QHg3enfH5PKOSLXUjcQlbnx4Ep9I989cTtjNQsix0Usn7bDZQ/s1600-h/IMGP1134.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUpp3DDI79-R-W_UoG4OP0v2LeRNL6eedWO2Od_rWgx2Bswem-c7iqC9kmaCRDZqZxGEGXy_vGec0u73hKetYv0bN_Af9QHg3enfH5PKOSLXUjcQlbnx4Ep9I989cTtjNQsix0Usn7bDZQ/s320/IMGP1134.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223941525301053266" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLPl4D2Fxe_1q5tzep8Hb8ENToRdQtVIv6TLuLozddST6UBjnkN71cpyFc8QAFbSQybz3fhlqH1nTEgGNq7kJJLOZSRfSe4r3uxV5OZy6P5yH_NH7e0xm2zhUOBny0p_0yaGJ-u2hwkYJ/s1600-h/IMGP1135.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLPl4D2Fxe_1q5tzep8Hb8ENToRdQtVIv6TLuLozddST6UBjnkN71cpyFc8QAFbSQybz3fhlqH1nTEgGNq7kJJLOZSRfSe4r3uxV5OZy6P5yH_NH7e0xm2zhUOBny0p_0yaGJ-u2hwkYJ/s320/IMGP1135.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223941528159612514" border="0" /></a>beef <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">tataki</span> – <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">chargrilled</span> fillet dressed with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">ponzu</span>, minced onion and fried garlic flakes. i think that this was the highlight of the night, the beef melting in your mouth (it sounds so cliched, but you have it, and you'll agree).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjLB3VaBK6BznqghdpPU_xVBjHbsQsG4W6unt6OcI56G6OhBdmKACDd2tFyjl_HGFtndiEwG5moVQ4tREJsiHtmpNSfMYH3IIS1J-WNQoyRJGMNHjHUBJT9znmEWG01Sx15pryQfvjhQgk/s1600-h/IMGP1137.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjLB3VaBK6BznqghdpPU_xVBjHbsQsG4W6unt6OcI56G6OhBdmKACDd2tFyjl_HGFtndiEwG5moVQ4tREJsiHtmpNSfMYH3IIS1J-WNQoyRJGMNHjHUBJT9znmEWG01Sx15pryQfvjhQgk/s320/IMGP1137.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223941533999711058" border="0" /></a>new style <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">sashimi</span> - scallops. these were nice, but the ginger was too strong for the delicateness of the scallops.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHeh0-dKMv8f4zC0vdcAx2iG7KwPBVr1w7P7anofQuXJ-sqZujl_8haeBcH-AhsI9aHQPq2YM70r7-IkMx56506RBKN2mkbY5jXlBFEOvmtdE9tdzKYTiDdCdYeqJVPC5h70BE8nU3HKF/s1600-h/IMGP1141.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHeh0-dKMv8f4zC0vdcAx2iG7KwPBVr1w7P7anofQuXJ-sqZujl_8haeBcH-AhsI9aHQPq2YM70r7-IkMx56506RBKN2mkbY5jXlBFEOvmtdE9tdzKYTiDdCdYeqJVPC5h70BE8nU3HKF/s320/IMGP1141.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223941540289710082" border="0" /></a><br />obligatory black cod with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">miso</span>. very nice, and it lived up to the expectations.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9I27PHIlf4o9SXknap6mhVrpllPEEM8zObblBn3_z2Pr3KiGvnna7tpvW-d5YEtpxp_KjRBIT9kbu_RPmJL3AQpLzzfFRkZ_Mx4l7QQlpK6ALFXZqkSUYvxPmR77EThC0KGB0O9MDbMWV/s1600-h/IMGP1145.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9I27PHIlf4o9SXknap6mhVrpllPEEM8zObblBn3_z2Pr3KiGvnna7tpvW-d5YEtpxp_KjRBIT9kbu_RPmJL3AQpLzzfFRkZ_Mx4l7QQlpK6ALFXZqkSUYvxPmR77EThC0KGB0O9MDbMWV/s320/IMGP1145.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224100257081267106" border="0" /></a>whole roasted <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">poussin</span>. so much meat, with a lovely smoky flavour. personally, this was too much meat and ended up feeling a little dry. i think with more people this would be recommended; for two, it was a large serving.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQ2uP-XllSbIik7wkFLdTl010SqjmvL3IEOEaz9sqvTQJxpXtK8sRCTrQyo9ythOo1WI-C_dG5lZJ0Fd_-uCRC37cQ22m5gw1LLtkWwZy2UmvjB-RfTUsTDqaBHOcmyyammfrx6l2avEL/s1600-h/IMGP1148.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQ2uP-XllSbIik7wkFLdTl010SqjmvL3IEOEaz9sqvTQJxpXtK8sRCTrQyo9ythOo1WI-C_dG5lZJ0Fd_-uCRC37cQ22m5gw1LLtkWwZy2UmvjB-RfTUsTDqaBHOcmyyammfrx6l2avEL/s320/IMGP1148.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224100267754314674" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfbAjjWJgjRoG0eiLIJPwY72lHQOKh32-BqzDkBP6rvrpZqLfqe0N_zUwRnqWAHgbwhEToV6w8vq7rXoGAhJy3g8LBL5oiYMqy2TNEA5aWNuhN_xumY9GyEchhHgI695uXJ1tmpgAqFFl/s1600-h/IMGP1149.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfbAjjWJgjRoG0eiLIJPwY72lHQOKh32-BqzDkBP6rvrpZqLfqe0N_zUwRnqWAHgbwhEToV6w8vq7rXoGAhJy3g8LBL5oiYMqy2TNEA5aWNuhN_xumY9GyEchhHgI695uXJ1tmpgAqFFl/s320/IMGP1149.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224100268973137618" border="0" /></a><br />this was the waitresses recommendation: tempura baby tiger prawns in tempura. i didn't really rate this dish, as it was "just <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">ok</span>". i think, as a country, we have a relatively high standard for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">japanese</span> restaurants to live up to.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuae9evVKReYy6sZ6tZGoMCkKluMhswLhiZIBxHMjPVAPbpc34kjS93X1aZT91IF2zsZ37KaE0i39AQDmrft9P1u3MiWockXVMJFhDDCwdU5-4ZJxnUzLW9Qxixy70NZPTFnmSgHIgAZ7U/s1600-h/IMGP1151.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuae9evVKReYy6sZ6tZGoMCkKluMhswLhiZIBxHMjPVAPbpc34kjS93X1aZT91IF2zsZ37KaE0i39AQDmrft9P1u3MiWockXVMJFhDDCwdU5-4ZJxnUzLW9Qxixy70NZPTFnmSgHIgAZ7U/s320/IMGP1151.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224100278721844018" border="0" /></a><br />so overall, the food was great, the atmosphere was blah, the service not so good. i know that there has been a lot of talk lately about waitstaff doing there jobs properly. but when you have to ask 3 separate people if you can get some water, then you have to wonder.<br /><br />would i go back? the answer, sadly is yes. but next time i would try the sushi bar, as it was secluded enough from the main dining area to allow you to talk!<br /><br />unfortunately, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">nobu</span> is a restaurant that we all have to try at least once. trust me, the food is worth it alone, but don't expect much else.jamesbluntknifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01611941733334322792noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156381736172853863.post-40919191539125785712008-07-17T03:45:00.000-07:002008-12-10T05:31:03.600-08:00pita bread snacky thingsI whipped these up as a snack, and they took maybe 1 minute to prepare (seriously) and then 10 minutes to cook in the oven. These are so simple i'm sure everyone has had a go at them, but for the time and effort they are well worth it (and, if you're like me and have a "crab gut" from traveling in malaysia and singapore, these are superior to potato chips). i always keep a pack of pita in the freezer, specifically for this purpose.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62tOEjFlmdYCBsCjT-Xa8j7HPG6wakxpNUIwb2SGs9OdyqHP_pg7p8kqnOCYamVmZkx8BDqYbLrFdna5rMC9iXRNmE69UmxxNx4h9Am2tFsGaYcao1jlzbzkUZcunhoImAn84vaX05Xlb/s1600-h/IMGP1171.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62tOEjFlmdYCBsCjT-Xa8j7HPG6wakxpNUIwb2SGs9OdyqHP_pg7p8kqnOCYamVmZkx8BDqYbLrFdna5rMC9iXRNmE69UmxxNx4h9Am2tFsGaYcao1jlzbzkUZcunhoImAn84vaX05Xlb/s320/IMGP1171.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223935355525364290" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCM5Ftv7ghyphenhyphentlBmfchlvmtX0gBHhtBUicKS4kCSK8QHxP3ogYi_48NCT2TLYOWcvHZ02DC8YR7OVSa3zZl2gAKnf6yQQnh7E9U5RG8vYvOZx5f92Iu0LMxmoc6UovPNLz1t3U4d6MFDcJ-/s1600-h/IMGP1162.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCM5Ftv7ghyphenhyphentlBmfchlvmtX0gBHhtBUicKS4kCSK8QHxP3ogYi_48NCT2TLYOWcvHZ02DC8YR7OVSa3zZl2gAKnf6yQQnh7E9U5RG8vYvOZx5f92Iu0LMxmoc6UovPNLz1t3U4d6MFDcJ-/s320/IMGP1162.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223935359372719346" border="0" /></a>pita chip things<br />pita bread, lemon juice, some good olive oil, salt, pepper, and whatever herbs you like.<br /><br />preheat oven (i crank mine to 200, but i like browned, crispy ones).<br /><br />tear the pita apart on a nonstick tray, ideally rubbed with olive oil to stop them sticking, but this is optional - i'm generally too lazy.<br /><br />sprinkle over some good olive oil, lemon juice (i use 1/2 a lemon per pita, can use more or less if you want), salt, pepper and whatever you like. i love garlic, coriander, and maybe some chilli or tabasco. i've been known to make 2 batches at once, and have one bunch with a savage whack of tabasco, so it ends up being a surprise, that's for sure!<br /><br />the thing is that this is always evolving - you can chuck whatever you want or have handy on them. shaved parmesan is good. basically, just play around with it and do what feels right.jamesbluntknifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01611941733334322792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156381736172853863.post-47619726078090923202008-07-12T23:10:00.000-07:002008-07-12T23:53:02.744-07:00this weekok, so i still have nobu to post about (i was there saturday, thanks to a very special girl), but i might wait for a bit before doing that - i still have to unpack my suitcase!<br /><br />so here's my list of upcoming events:<br /><br />finally getting back to the gym this week - i'm aiming for 3 nights, but might stretch it out to 4. this includes all the extras: protein, creatine, etc etc. i have a "crab gut" from malaysia and need to ge trid of it...<br /><br />movida dos hopefully this week. i haven't seen any reviews of it yet, but i'm still excited to go there!<br /><br />that's really it for now - work is starting this week in earnest (which is good).jamesbluntknifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01611941733334322792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156381736172853863.post-59724080751393452112008-07-12T22:24:00.000-07:002008-12-10T05:31:04.062-08:00pea and ham soup<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQsx-qO_jFmT_lOBmwGwlTnNI-OfYSWbxNBzHFHNNkAjxQAB16v7PnIdKahudyekPZy5Qz4vuZYsyrTNSwy8yHXUYus-zKclMnX3bQnERlEF9TYYW56mBUEuA2WaZIy3eZ2J2qPF-95Z2w/s1600-h/IMGP1156.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQsx-qO_jFmT_lOBmwGwlTnNI-OfYSWbxNBzHFHNNkAjxQAB16v7PnIdKahudyekPZy5Qz4vuZYsyrTNSwy8yHXUYus-zKclMnX3bQnERlEF9TYYW56mBUEuA2WaZIy3eZ2J2qPF-95Z2w/s320/IMGP1156.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222367170540117394" border="0" /></a><br />This is based on an old recipe that my mother has - she makes it several times a year and each time keeps making small changes to it. as you can see, most of it is fluid; you decide how the adventure ends.<br /><br />Recipe:<br /> <p class="MsoNormal">1 Pork hock (add another if want more meat. Cut off skin before cooking; this can be added as well for more flavour, and then removed from pot prior to serving).<br />1 Cheese kransky.<br />200g speck (not needed if using 2 pork hocks). Also optional: Smoked spare ribs.<br />2 ½ cups as a mixture of pearl barley and split peas (green and/or yellow).<br />1 brown onion, diced.<br />1 leek, diced, white part only<br />2 carrots, peeled and chopped<br />1 turnip, peeled and chopped.<br />2 – 3 Potatoes<br />Several sticks Celery<br />Chicken stock.<br />Curry powder.<br />Salt and pepper to taste.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>1. Rinse split peas and barley under cold water.<br />2. Cook onion and leek in butter, until translucent. Can use garlic butter, or add garlic at this stage.<br />3. Add 1 teaspoon curry powder.<br />4. Add stock, split peas, barley, and pork hocks (removing the skin off the hocks first). Bring to the boil. Add whatever veggies you like. Place kransky whole on top.<br />5. Simmer for two hours, stirring occasionally so the split peas and barley don't stick. If soup is too thick, add a little more water (although, it's not a proper pea and ham soup if the spoon doesn't stand up in it).<br />6. Remove kransky from pot. Take meat from hock, chop up and put back into soup. Cut kransky into large chunks and chuck back in. Remove the skin from the pot at this point – this is just used for flavour.</p> and the outcome of an afternoon spent in the kitchen?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZsgtbDPjFLU08VSLP2SoeFHKq_3YzgmChyphenhyphen4nakIvnsN94JKjYEf8dhDag5fN6zynims3vWDmc8ffcpCoBoe7kcSWg4QV2z-3uXITpj7bLQUq3bTPnvaHvXoeCEvRnPEEsKUR0W62Qlst/s1600-h/IMGP1161.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZsgtbDPjFLU08VSLP2SoeFHKq_3YzgmChyphenhyphen4nakIvnsN94JKjYEf8dhDag5fN6zynims3vWDmc8ffcpCoBoe7kcSWg4QV2z-3uXITpj7bLQUq3bTPnvaHvXoeCEvRnPEEsKUR0W62Qlst/s320/IMGP1161.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222372726546899730" border="0" /></a>jamesbluntknifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01611941733334322792noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156381736172853863.post-75424758254268849242008-07-12T21:50:00.000-07:002008-12-10T05:31:05.306-08:00replete providoreWe found ourselves freezing our tits off on a ridiculous saturday morning. Having just purchased a few goodies from the collingwood farmer's market, we found ourselves starving, freezing and needing some good coffee. Luckily i had the answer: replete. I'm sure that almost all of you have heard of it and most have eaten there. it's something special in hawthorn. 'nuff said.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmY0tLYTBpeXGU5kyWIF7KQVWkVs4TY9X1Jz2_EGOVpS2JZfw8zKit5U2n3u60_YcH51fnVTCvLYgcX3Nr3kptO0AKyEwipu2bhCb6RPKNHE4JonQVles44Ecaj8HBf0d1dbOYyFhVyTz/s1600-h/IMGP1125.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmY0tLYTBpeXGU5kyWIF7KQVWkVs4TY9X1Jz2_EGOVpS2JZfw8zKit5U2n3u60_YcH51fnVTCvLYgcX3Nr3kptO0AKyEwipu2bhCb6RPKNHE4JonQVles44Ecaj8HBf0d1dbOYyFhVyTz/s320/IMGP1125.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222361823663221090" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihykGdYk9Fba12HgfKytHHbE-J1De1tJrD9EmChPm_SDJriC7v7ONOCTmiruHXVo3wnd7M4Xe9cw2F8zpFC6CtrWinY6YpSz_KY59fY8LI5dIY_iWoGP7uNyc4huy4F5oQPe_u6QC9RLtP/s1600-h/IMGP1126.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihykGdYk9Fba12HgfKytHHbE-J1De1tJrD9EmChPm_SDJriC7v7ONOCTmiruHXVo3wnd7M4Xe9cw2F8zpFC6CtrWinY6YpSz_KY59fY8LI5dIY_iWoGP7uNyc4huy4F5oQPe_u6QC9RLtP/s320/IMGP1126.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222361824870990946" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkj-bT3Wm4fIbw180aNf43qI54-M8fKYVEKmdhEpLAse5u1BAmYbeI0-hMBZ7auNb43N9DpX3MammiOx0f9DEm-3NLttwpilcIYScLnWpmGuNmR6VO8pNW9tCqOCTZZl-ETh_oKcI7R9f/s1600-h/IMGP1127.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkj-bT3Wm4fIbw180aNf43qI54-M8fKYVEKmdhEpLAse5u1BAmYbeI0-hMBZ7auNb43N9DpX3MammiOx0f9DEm-3NLttwpilcIYScLnWpmGuNmR6VO8pNW9tCqOCTZZl-ETh_oKcI7R9f/s320/IMGP1127.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222361837092654866" border="0" /></a><br />We ordered some coffees and then decided what to have for the main event. there was a nice omelette with chorizo, sundried tomatoes and other goodies that caught our eye. after looking through the lunch menu, we also got the pizzetta with artichoke, sopressa and other assorted bits and pieces.<br /><br />The omelette was very good, but the pizzetta was not as good as expected. Next time, i think i'll just give up and get the hotcakes!<br /><br />Oh, and if you're wondering, at the market i got some wild olives, and also some buffalo mozzarella for a salad with basil and tomatoes. end of story.jamesbluntknifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01611941733334322792noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156381736172853863.post-91576141543631205712008-07-12T21:15:00.001-07:002008-12-10T05:31:06.408-08:00quan jude restaurant<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgU1b9xx-xd5tYZytiCmzrqBYE2nomexqOVMXwBzbuvJqoftayHSGCU50xfdizzGZbYQsFUkgrbRkGtAkh1dxgTntFHmZQKCUpap1_kCXtJahXYRntiou6JlYfhVm1iPkP1b-0Dyriy3TF/s1600-h/IMGP1080.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgU1b9xx-xd5tYZytiCmzrqBYE2nomexqOVMXwBzbuvJqoftayHSGCU50xfdizzGZbYQsFUkgrbRkGtAkh1dxgTntFHmZQKCUpap1_kCXtJahXYRntiou6JlYfhVm1iPkP1b-0Dyriy3TF/s320/IMGP1080.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222349519683926610" border="0" /></a>To be honest, I didn't even know that there was a Quan Jude in Melbourne. I had heard the rumours, but it wasn't until a friend went that I knew of it's existence. Last time I was in Beijing I hit up the Wangfujing Quan Jude a couple of times and I was very impressed with it; it was the first time that I had had Peking Duck, and I instantly fell in love, not dissimilar to a high school crush. Would it meet the quality that old kingdom has given us (minus the insane head chef)?<br />So it was on a freezing friday night that we found ourselves there. I had just returned from Malaysia, so I was certainly not prepared for the weather that Melbourne was enduring. We sat down, and ordered the duck, and braced ourselves for what we hoped was going to be an inspiration.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8x3NZvlZw4V618M2GQpe4nQmQNQ2VYG9Zp8-6lB98epv-L1O1amP3E26GcTPE_a4jQdZ6MulRtlIxGuQdUCizjq1aJ16UE-cLRnQ_LeK_ZzIWlZHsEYnClNRHW9UjUmlRTxSMAx-B_npq/s1600-h/IMGP1092.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8x3NZvlZw4V618M2GQpe4nQmQNQ2VYG9Zp8-6lB98epv-L1O1amP3E26GcTPE_a4jQdZ6MulRtlIxGuQdUCizjq1aJ16UE-cLRnQ_LeK_ZzIWlZHsEYnClNRHW9UjUmlRTxSMAx-B_npq/s320/IMGP1092.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222355232217806594" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYytqLJWAKZ1GIR8UkSkrVmtBreIZpgdLnZZb0EWmXmK6tNg-iFn2No-9h_FKdzvSpGaN4F4ILA2Ych6C5K3-v1S63FCTZDcCkkF_rAJ8aHiTRHXddULTALVxUX3Ug-cn7ekhp3ETU5rI/s1600-h/IMGP1089.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYytqLJWAKZ1GIR8UkSkrVmtBreIZpgdLnZZb0EWmXmK6tNg-iFn2No-9h_FKdzvSpGaN4F4ILA2Ych6C5K3-v1S63FCTZDcCkkF_rAJ8aHiTRHXddULTALVxUX3Ug-cn7ekhp3ETU5rI/s320/IMGP1089.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222349524294956018" border="0" /></a>When our duck came, the chef cut it next to our table, his blade a blur as he cut off the prized skin from the stomach area and then presented it to us. It was glorious; with just a small dip into the plum sauce, the fatty, crispy skin came alive in our mouths.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYNOkxbNp-ZxC-6YQSLlas1cTIt0Hu-GcSFvpOCtJvfp8m4_i7tG_bc2negnoUJwGG-mmYp2_2M6yD64ijC6ssy1H8gjjFHV9z9jcAXl6sGoH9HXQoKurRyMxfU2N-LSXNsyTevNSsTg9/s1600-h/IMGP1099.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYNOkxbNp-ZxC-6YQSLlas1cTIt0Hu-GcSFvpOCtJvfp8m4_i7tG_bc2negnoUJwGG-mmYp2_2M6yD64ijC6ssy1H8gjjFHV9z9jcAXl6sGoH9HXQoKurRyMxfU2N-LSXNsyTevNSsTg9/s320/IMGP1099.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222349515690770930" border="0" /></a>Next up, the meat. Now, this is nothing like Old Kingdom. There, we are used to massive chunks of flesh, with fat and a little bit of skin. It's said that a good chef can cut up to 200 pieces of a duck. The skill is in making sure that there is enough fat, skin and meat in each piece. As you can see, the meat is very nice, tender and flavourful, the skin is amazing, but the fat, where is the fat? I remembered reading in the menu that the Quan Jude duck has only 7.5% fat. No fun :(<br />All in all, the duck was very nice, and the presentation amazing. The decor kinda reminds me of an 80's b grade chinatown movie. regardless, i will be going back, but this time getting more people to come, or ordering half a duck. it was just too much meat, without the glorious, glistening fat that i have come to know and love.jamesbluntknifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01611941733334322792noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156381736172853863.post-58858567744242725552008-07-10T22:38:00.000-07:002008-07-10T22:55:02.789-07:00My plans (from now on)Now that I am back from Malaysia (pics to come), it seems that some much-needed rest is out of the question.<br /><br />Coming up: me finally blogging on a semi-constant basis. i'm aiming for 1 blog a week, but in reality, if i can be arsed, it will be much, much more than that.<br /><br />This weekend is going to be good for the soul, cleansing, and enjoyable. restful? well, maybe if i can sneak in a couple hours here and there.<br /><br />Tonight I'll be going to <a href="http://www.quanjude.com.au">Quan Jude</a> for peking duck. I've been to one of their restaurants in Beijing (the wangfujing branch) and it lived up to the expectation. Can this give old kingdom a run for it's money? I guess i'll find out tonight.<br />Afterwards, i'm heading to a house-cooling party of a friend's in brunswick. He's finally taken the plunge and bought a house. coming soon: suburbia, and no late-night souvlaki places... (him, not me).<br /><br />Saturday I'll return to the collingwood farmer's market like a moth to a flame. instead of scorching heat and searing pain, i'm attracted to buffalo mozzarella and wild olives in the biggest jar i can mitts on; it seems i have a craving, an addiction if you will. hey, at least it's not the allure of an aged single malt here folks.<br /><br />Afterwards, I'm tossing up the idea of a late breakfast at <a href="http://www.repleteprovidore.com/">replete</a> - yes, yes i know i have to try the ricotta hotcakes, however, this time they no longer have the siren's call. the bagna cauda<strong></strong> i had there last time was something special, but i'm tossing up between the satisfying bircher muesli with it's pure clean tastes, and the replete breakfast with their special baked beans. yum!<br /><br />To top it all off, I'm being taken to "a" restaurant for my birthday by my girlfriend. I'm still getting used to the upgrade from "someone i'm seeing" to "something more serious", but it feels right. Not sure where or what the restuarant is - all i know is that it's japanese, and that it's a surprise. sounds ok to me!<br /><br />so that's all from me for now, but since i have come back from my holiday, i'll have more time to blog, and let you all see the world through my eyes.jamesbluntknifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01611941733334322792noreply@blogger.com0