Snags & Sons

A wet winter's night called for a trip Snags & Sons with my fab friends Jessica Shaver and Pia Poynton.  Fresh from a Nøgne Ø tasting at the International Beer Shop the girls had plenty to share including a lovely bottle of Brooklyn Sorachi Ace.  It tasted of distant balmy summer nights.  The perfect match to my Toulouse Sausage crammed with creamy brie and caramelised onions.  Sausage loving, beer drinking and plotting to take over the world ... perfect. 20120605-220123.jpg

Grill'd

Burgers with babes. We thought we would make use of our Roving Dinner vouchers to guts on grilled delights. My bf thinks the Summer Sunset burger should only be consumed in the wake of a drinking expedition. I disagree. Bacon and pineapple, salty and sweet; this marriage makes me happy.

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Bellies (almost) full we took a pit stop at 50ml before Luna Cinemas to pick up cupcakes and chai for movie consumption.  Trishna, an adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles, was destined to finish on a tragic and teary note.  Sob.

Bivouac

Bouzy breakfast at Bivouac is fast becoming tradition. Best porridge of my life greatly enhanced by wonderful company.  Yes Aaron Rutter YOU!  I am just over the moon (and then some) to be working with team at Jump Climb a whole lot more.  I just know they will be radcakes in their new role as Directors of the Beaufort Street Festival.  I am pretty sure all our meetings will be over food.  Bliss. Aaron's "local yolkal" menu choice prompted many eggcellent jokes. What a crack up ..

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Local Yolkal ~ linley valley organic free range bacon and eggs cooked to your liking, toasted turkish bread + bloody mary

Porridge courage ~ date and pistachio porridge, toasted coconut, poached rhubarb and organic vanilla yoghurt

First Comes Love

First Comes Love (and then comes marriage). I think every girl with a rock on her left hand visited the Oxford Hotel for the the First Comes Love alternative bridal fair.  It is a little awkward when you arrive with your married friend not sporting said rock. Everyone gives you that knowing look before they say "When is your date?" ... what date, you mean like taking me out to dinner or something?

As promised it was chock full of sweetness and sass, inspiration and gorgeous gorgeous offerings by left of centre wedding peeps.  Oh how peachy ... now I just need that rock!

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The Classroom

I remember in primary school having a chair bag so full, every time I stood up the chair fell backwards. The beginning of term was always full of opportunity. New stationary, a new school bag and da da dummmm ... a new chair bag sewn by my mama.  Now I just cause chairs to fall over with my overloaded handbag.  Some things never change huh. North Perth on the other hand is a changing.  Angove Street has morphed into a bustling baby beaufort, oh so full of goodies. Whilst I was sad to see The Pantry Door close it's um ... door ... I am really impressed by this little bar nestled around the corner on Charles Street.

It took me SO long to visit The Classroom. A glutton for comfort it always takes me forever to delve into the unknown.  Maybe I like to wait for loads of people to tell me it is so good that I have to go.   It was the perfect place to take my long lost friend Claire who has been hiding on the east coast for far too long.

There is just so much to absorb at The Classroom.   Every little detail points to primary school.  Very clever! Top of the class to it's Head Masters Adam Keane and Daniel Sterpini ... it's your best project yet.

I wish we had arrived a little more ravenous.  The chips gave off the right amount of crunch with a little nod to Mexico adding some heat.  Having a chipotle aioli was definitely a refreshing alternative.  But gosh .... balsamic pearls!  I would love to walk around with a handful of this little guys in my pocket.

Next visit: cocktail gastronomy graduation.

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Hand-cut chips, sumac dusting & chipotle aioli Serrano jamon, fresh nectarines, in-house ricotta & balsamic pearls

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Bonsai

Oh Bonsai. I just love you. I can never get enough of your sashimi bites. 20120518-171845.jpg

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Salmon sashimi bites ~ sashimi-grade salmon tartare, mixed with grated ginger and dengaku miso, placed on witlof leaves, dressed with aioli and chives Wagyu beef tataki ~ seared premium wagyu beef rump cut into thin slices and dressed with garlic soy caramel sauce and mustard vinaigrette. Witlof and leek julienne with a sprinkle of parmesan Crab claw balls Fried chicken bites Chicken teriyaki

Rochelle Adonis ~ how to High Tea

Just when you think you are quite the hostess swanning about in the kitchen drenching your friends' senses with afternoon delights.  Enter Rochelle Adonis, her gorgeous Head Chef and their take on how to High Tea.  Your cooking confidence stands up, smiles nervously and runs out the front door without a backward's glance at the cake fridge. I am not going to give too much away as if you love to entertain, cook or enjoy the sweeter things in life you should get down to one of her classes.  I took my little sister Ness for her birthday and shared the experience with my friend from work and her daughter.

They take you right back to basics and teach you how to do things the right way (the Rochelle way).  It is all about perfecting the simple things.  What makes the perfect cucumber sandwich - really good squishy white bread!  How to make the best cupcake frosting - by adding the sugar syrup with patience and devotion.  The trick to light and airy scones - be gentle, no need to knead.

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I love that you can bring bubbles.  It just gives it that rosy edge.  We nibbled during class and were mesmerised by our plate of other worldly delights at the end washing it down with Seventh Duchess tea.  We walked away with gorgeous recipes, confidence restored and a new found obsession with finger limes.

mac and cheese

My sisters and I have a serious addiction to macaroni cheese. This stems from countless afternoon snacks of Kraft Mac n Cheese. A microwave was not permitted in the Moseley household so eating something from a box was considered pretty risqué. It was honestly the only meal we grew up with that was not cooked from scratch. Now we are always on the hunt for THE best Mac n Cheese of our lives. This one at Rockpool is pretty up there.

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