especially when sent all the way from Perth to London town full of well wishes and silly messages from my wonderful friends.
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Birthday
Best birthday ever xx
Parrillada de Carnes (Madrid, Spain)
Mussels, patatas bravas and iberian assorted meats ~ cured ham, highly seasoned pork sausage, cured loin, black pudding, dry corned beef and sheep mature cheese. Satisfacción.
London: Foxcroft & Ginger
I felt oh so very spesh being taken to F&G by Bridie. Its always heartwarming to know that its one of your favourite friends favoured haunts. It was one of my favourite lazy London experiences.
Greeted by the barista with an impromptu quiz "DiCaprio v Franco" we ticked and launched into debate. Majority hands down DiCaprio circa Catch Me If You Can and Gangs of New York. However Leo is like a fine wine and just gets better with age. My friend Maddy can vouch for that when she stalked him in Sydney (HA). Come to think of it pretty sure I had a crush on him when I spent my pocket money on TV Hits. And then being freaked out by him as Gilbert Grape and in the Basketball Diaries. Oh to be young.
Right in the heart of Soho, F&G is a breeding ground for friends catching up over good coffee and delicious gourmet cafe food (think Sayers). French toast crammed with cheese and ham off the bone, blimey!
EAT | SUQUET DE L'ALMIRALL (Barcelona, Spain)
We really had the worst luck in Barcelona. Our flight from Paris was delayed by a day so we didnt arrive until late on a Sat night and were out again on Monday. All our dining plans were ruined as the top three on my list were all closed on Sunday. I had read a little about chef Quim Marques we took a little trip to Suquet de l'Almirall. Such honest, uncomplicated flavours, seafood how it should be.
Paella order numbers 10179 and 10180.
Un Dimanche A Paris (Saint Germain, Paris, France)
Hello sugar. Macaron heaven.
EAT | LA PALETTE (Paris, France)
I am so happy we sought out La Palette. The bistro once frequented by the likes Picasso and Hemingway still held so much old world charm (and cheese).
LE TOURIST TRAP (Paris, France)
A velvety duck liver parfait actually tastes like sex and money melting in your mouth. It is one of those guilty pleasures that I indulge in far too much. Now this little number was not quite the duck liver parfait I had envisaged. Wahh! But it serves me right for following my raging appetite rather than my heart. My heart told me not to eat here. It was so surreal meeting my littlest sister in Paris seeing her freckly tanned face across the table. We ordered, ate and were slightly perturbed at our choice of cafe and ended up going to watch the latest Harry Potter at the cinema. So French right?
Harvest
Kelly had just acquired a fluffy new addition, a gorgeous little puppy called Perri. It was so hard to leave her all alone! But we still made our way to Fremantle. Harvest was such a beautiful experience. An absolutely delicious way to spend a Saturday night and $120.
Amuse Bouche Green gazpacho, liquid fetta, pickled zucchini, rockmelon Crab stick, samphire, watermelon, baby beef crisps Crispy skin ruby snapper, mussel broth, wilted cos, rouille Margaret River wagyu rump, bread sauce, garden silverbeet veal tongue Sorbet Saint Agur mousse, witlof, grape, brioche Chocolate pudding, dehydrated chocolate mousse, oloroso jubes and ginger beer sherbet
Cantina 663
We celebrated Christel's 30th birthday the one way we know. With good food, good wine and many martinis. Cantina has held a place in my heart for many moons now. With nights like this when you stroll down Memory Lane it is hard not to keep going back.
Sayers Food
Bubble and squeak with spinach pesto, poached eggs, tomato and beetroot confit served with sourdough. A Sayers breakfast is always worth the wait.
West End Deli
West End Deli. No regrets. Ever.
Bivouac
Pretty sure this conversation occurs every SaturdayMe: "I am going to bikram at 2pm babe" Bf: "Sweet" ... an hour later Me: "Aaaaah stuff it ... lets eat" Bf: "SWEET!"
Bivouac's charcuterie board, gnocchi plus plus and booze ensures a perfect Saturday afternoon. I can always start bikram again on Monday ....
Mrs S
I love the Golden Circle book menus at Mrs S. Little pigs indeed.
SINGAPORE FAMILY FEAST
A steamboat is the beating heart of many family meals in Singapore. I love that my mum reverts back to saying lah and speaking malay as soon as we are in Nanna's kitchen. Christmas time in Singapore ... you can't get much better. Makan!
Sex and the City 2
I hosted another Sex and the City soiree for movie number two. Rolling out the red carpet this time for 120 girls and a dangerous 240 cosmopolitans. There is something pretty magical about a girls only event. It makes everything a little more harmonious and fun. With the series playing in the background and our wonderful paparazzi capturing every moment, the girls mingled making new friends, posed (A LOT) and indulged in pink liquids. Llama Bar again provided exceptional service and gorgeous canapés.
The movie fell short of everyone's expectations. Sadly, there was nothing fabulous about this movie except for it being appropriate to wear a turban and this scene ...
