There is nothing better than a homecooked meal with your closest friends. Or a homecooked banquet including duck confit, duck liver parfait, tequila sorbet, gin and tonic jellies and a decadent chocolate cake. I rounded up Ryan's closest friends to celebrate his birthday. Magical.
Bivouac and deep sea adventures
We celebrated Ryan's birthday with a family lunch at Bivouac enjoying fresh offerings and cava followed by the enchanting theatre production Deep Sea Adventures of Alvin Sputnik. So gorgeous!
Mrs S.
We escaped to Maylands in the wake of the Beaufort Street Festival. Post traumatic feast called for a serve of Granny June's cornbread with bacon maple syrup and eggs JOY. We also shared a croque monsieur. This little number originated in France as a fast food snack. The Mrs S version very is like a Heston-ified ham and cheese toasty. I think this has something to do with the béchamel sauce which oozes out and makes it all rich and creamy. I was so exhausted after Bofo. Assume foetal position. Hello couch, old friend.
Nanwhore Rager
Secret plans for birthday fun are the best kind of plans. We treated Nanette to a little birthday soiree before an espresso martini fuelled night at the Manor. Usually dubbed a Manwhore Rager. NANWHORE RAGER ... thank you Dwight. Liquid love in jamjars, Nan’s favourite late night munchies and a giant jar of Amaretto Sour. My clever little sister Vanessa baked the gorgeous cupcakes.
BSF Five Bar - Australian Beer tasting
There are so many great Australian breweries currently operating and making their stamp on the global beer scene. Five Bar showcased seven amazing examples alongside canapés created by the Five Bar chefs. It’s not all BBQ and VB here, there is so much more to explore.
aussie indulgence
4 Pines Kolsch Crispy Wild Mushroom Croquette, Truffle Scented Mayonnaise and Parsley
Stone & Wood Pacific Ale Devils on Horseback (Fresh Date Wrapped in Streaky Bacon and Grilled) Served on Toasted Baguette with Mango Chutney
Feral Golden Ace Sticky Tamarind Chicken Wings with Seasame, Chilli and Fresh Lime
Mountain Goat Hightail Ale Spiced Steak Tartare on Warm Toast with Baby Cornichons
Matso’s Smokey Bishop Moroccan Lamb, Almond and Mint Koftes with Apricot Yoghurt
Lord Nelson Old Admiral Quicks Strong English Cheddar with Apple Chutney and Fruit Toast
Coopers Best Extra Stout Freshly Shucked Oysters with Pomegranate Molasses
Big thank you to Pia Poynton of Five Bar and Anthony Williams of BEERtasters for hosting the evening.
This was our foodie final instalment before The Beaufort Street Festival.
BSF Five Bar ~ Beer & Cheese
Everyone thinks cheese and wine are the perfect match but beer can be just as fancy too! We sampled 7 different beers paired with beautiful cheeses designed to compliment and enhance these incredible flavours. We delved into uncharted territories of food and beer matching with Nick Bath, Director and Founder of Blue Cow Cheese Company and Pia Poynton of Five Bar.
cheese dreams ensued
BSF Five Bar ~ Around the World beertasting
We took a journey around the world with beer as our companion and Anthony Williams of BEERtasters and the lovely Pia Poynton of Five Bar as our guides. There is always something magical about the menu when Head Chef, Jamie Newbury is involved. Five Bar was recently nominated Best Bar Food at Bartender Magazine and after our little globe trot we could see why.
We sampled seven different beers with food inspired by its country of origin.
Belgium: Blanche De Namur with Classic Bratwurst Sausage with Sauerkraut and Honey Mustard Dressing
Germany: Weihenstephaner Pilsner with Crispy Fried Scallop & Chive Potato Croquettes, Lemon Hollandaise and Paprika
France: Trois Monts Golden Ale with Slow Braised Buttered Leeks on Toasted French Baguette & Organic Goats Curd
Australia: Rogers with Margaret River Spiced Venison Chorizo with Apricot and Quandong Jam
North America: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale with Cajun Spiced King Prawns with Kiwi Fruit, Coriander, Chilli and Lime Salsa
England: Fuller’s ESB with Keens Milk English Cheddar, Sticky Quince Paste and Crispbread
Scotland: Innis & Gunn Rum Cask with Bailey’s Crème Brulee with Scottish Shortbreads
BSF Martini Masterclass ~ Defectors Bar
Shaken or stirred? Lemon or grapefruit? Noilly Prat or Dolin? These are just some of the questions Defectors Bar manager James Connolly tackled martini masterclass celebrating the most iconic of cocktails. As well as tracking the drink’s evolution over the years, current martini trends and techniques. We had a look at the different gins available to today’s discerning drinker, from classic London dry styles to contemporary new western dry gins and Australian distillations. It was Monday. Many martinis later. Tuesday was not so terrific.
This was one of the fundraising events I hosted in the lead up to the Beaufort Street Festival 2011.
USA
Boy birthdays are the best. Make bulk hot dogs, cheese burgers, pizzas and a giant punch bowl of Manhattans (then rage at the Manor). Happy bday Dwight! x
Rochelle Adonis dessert degustation
My beautiful friend Holly has such a sweet tooth so for her 30th birthday I treated her to a dessert degustation at Rochelle Adonis. So on a lovely Saturday night we took a few bottles of champagne and indulged in the sweet, sugary and surprisingly savoury dessert degustation. It was truly a gorgeous experience and I would highly recommend you gather up the girls lots of bubbles and book a table.
Five Bar
Weekends are best spent with food and wine ... oh and friends.
Rueben sandwich w pastrami sauerkraut swiss cheese thousand island dressing and pickles, olives and grilled spiced buffalo chorizo.
Five Bar
Lets just grab a coffee always turns into a feast of the best kind. Thank you Shanon. This is why we are friends.
Beaufort Street Festival Roving Dinner
Monday, 16 October 2011 In the lead up to the Beaufort Street Festival I wanted to show a little love to four of my favourite places.
What better way to get to know Beaufort Street than a progressive dinner between four of Mt Lawley's most treasured venues. Must Winebar, The Beaufort Street Merchant, Cantina 663 and new kid on the block Raah joined forces to create a sensational night of food and wine.
Canapes and Mumm Champagne at Must’s newly refurbished Champagne Lounge Rustic, entrees at Beaufort Street Merchant with matching wine Modern Middle Eastern main courses at Raah with matching wine Finishing up at Cantina 663 for all things sweet including fortified wine
120 guests, 4 venues, full and happy tummies.
Special thanks ... to all who attended Matt O'Donohue and Adam Nalapraya for capturing the magic in their photography Russell Blaikie of Must Winebar Scott, Angie and Hannah of The Beaufort Street Merchant Troy and Josie of Raah Alex and Sally of Cantina 663
Cantina 663
A birthday breakfast calls for espresso martinis!
Beaufort Street Merchant
Karina makes me want to lead a healthier lifestyle. No french toast with maple syrup and bacon at this table.
West End Deli
If you ever see the corned beef hash potato black pudding and fried egg on the menu ... PLEASE ORDER IT. Being a bit of same dish pig I thought I better try something different. So I made my bf order it whilst I enjoyed the house smoked ocean trout brioche creamed spinach slow cooked egg n tobbiko dressing.
PFF 2011
CULLEN ESTATE - biodynamic and hand reared
The food at Cullen Estate is honest and oh so fresh. Their food shines with locally grown and reared produce.
Clarences
The chipotle chicken drummies at Clarences are to DIE FOR. Kelly and I love coming here for bites, cider and serious chats. The dark chocolate salted tart and trio of homemade icecream were heaven.
Rochelle Adonis
I love Sundays with my mummy. She works so hard and its her day off so we often try and go somewhere spesh for something yum. Rochelle Adonis seemed the perfect choice. Visiting her chic yet homely studio actually makes me want to be a better person. I want to buy a floral apron and bake pretty things.
Find a delightful studio dedicated to pure indulgence and gorgeous little moments of deliciousness. http://www.rochelleadonis.com/