reelanime2013

Each year the team at Madman showcase the best anime fresh out of Japan at Luna Palace.   

TACO CASA (Petitenget, Bali)

Just a little bit out of Seminyak you will find the red washed walls of Taco Casa.  Swimming with friendly staff,  you can order jugs of sangria and find all the usual Tex mex finds.  They only use super fresh local produce and great cuts of meat.  Definitely a place I will be going back to.

Taco Casa
Jl. Petitenget (North End of Seminyak)
Kerobokan, Kuta Utara
Badung, Bali 80361
Tlp. +62 361 9161919

Hawker's Delight

I am always harassing my friend Sanjeev on the best Asian eats.  He is an authority on the subject and is even starting up his own blog.  Hurry up Sanjeev!  
 
I left Hawker's Delight with a catch of Curry Laksa and Char Kuey Teow some of the best I have eaten in Perth, reminding of happy hawkers adventures in Singapore.    

Gathering

Every now and then an event comes around that you simply cannot miss. When the whispers that the tickets were online, my tummy flipped and my pulse quickened.  I exhaled such a sigh of relief and may have even squealed a little.  The Kinfolk Table yeah yeah yeaaaahhhhh!  

I feel a little giddy that  knowing that I will be in the presence of two oh so talented beings  Stacey Clark and Loren Ioppola.  Stacey is an amazing stylist whose work will take your breath away.  Loren goes by Nectarine Photography and her photos are just stunning.  She captured many magical moments for my friends Ang & Cam on their wedding day.   

And to top it off I get to share this event with my beautiful friend Nanette for her bdazzle and two of my favourite food loving girlfriends.  

Hurry up October 27 ... 

Progressive dinners along Beaufort St

It is that time of the year again!  Our Roving Dinner is back and we are offering two unique dining experiences.  Check out our pretty posters for all the information. 

To purchase tickets for Mon, 7 October click here
 To purchase tickets for Mon, 14 October click here 

SEA CIRCUS (Seminyak, Bali)

'Sea Circus is not an actual circus*. It’s also not on the sea. It’s kinda near the beach… and probably as entertaining as a circus. OK, Sea Circus is an odd name. But it’s a really good restaurant, bar & coffee den thingy. So there.'

Sea Circus will have you dreaming of pastel coloured coffee cups with gorgeous notes of fortunes long after you say goodbye to those balmy nights.

This colourful gem is one of my absolute favourites in Bali. The pretty rainbow window panes welcome you in with the bright décor begging you to nestle in all day long. They offer a simple menu for breky, lunch and dinner, delicious cocktails and bangin’ good coffee by Five Senses.

I tucked into corn fritters with feta, chili jam and rocket with a side of avocado. So refreshing to not be lining up at some buffet eyeing off strange looking bacon. The 'rocket fuel' was the Danny Zucko of ice coffees, lovingly cold dripped over eight hours.

Vibrant chevron stripes and quirky touches adorn every inch of this merry eatery. You just can't help but make you fall in love, especially when you leave with a happy tummy.

Complimented by friendly staff and great food, you would rather stub your toe on the wonky Bali pavement then miss out. Make sure Sea Circus is your first stop on your next Bali adventure.

Sea Circus

22 Jalan Kayu Aya [Oberoi Rd]
Seminyak, Bali.
Tell your taxi: next to Bodyworks

Phone: +62 361 738 667
Check out their Facebook page!

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Swallow

This cosy neighbourhood bar is as tiny as its namesake.  The fit-out has a quaint French feel, oozing warmth.  You can perch at the bar for a tipple or bask in the courtyard if the sun is shining.  If you get in early you can find an old tram bench booth with a wee group and settle in for the evening.  

Peruse through the thoughtful selection of wines, boutique beers and liquors and you will find something that tickles your fancy.  The extensive menu of small eats is full of clever takes on the classics.  We tucked into a serve of olives and velvety chicken liver pate with crisp cornichons that was happily slathered on warm buttery toast.  

Swallow is a lovely spot to enjoy with those you love.  

URBAN LOCAVORE | CHEESE DREAMS

Urban Locavore got all organised on us putting together a delicious cheeseboard for August.  

BAHEN & CO - from bean to bar

Who hasn't flipped over a chocolate bar to peer at the nutritional table before you start snapping off each square.  Those little calories might grab your eye but right next door is the long list of stuff that resides in your foil wrapped block of artificial taste.  I prefer my chocolate stripped right back, no purple wrappers in this house. 
 
Bahen & Co use vintage chocolate equipment and you will only find two ingredients, cacao and cane sugar.   Each bar is beautifully adorned its own special paper holding chocolate that smells like it should and tastes even better.   I have been lucky enough to meet Josh and his lovely wife Jacq and witness all the good things they do.  I always make the effort to stock up whilst in Margaret River.

Watch this little video and you too will be racing down south to get your hands on the real stuff.

Bahen & Co Chocolate from Commoner Films on Vimeo.

Mary Street Mixer

So excited for another Beaufort Street food adventure this time raising funds for the Beaufort Street Network and the Beaufort Street Festival.  The amazing folk at Mary Street Bakery have kindly offered up their kitchen skills to host our mixer of food, wines and friends.   Tickets are on sale now and going like cronuts so get in quick.  You can buy them here.

DRINK 🍸 | THE LIBRARY (Singapore)

Update Nov 2017: this bar is now closed

Inspired by the Speakeasy bars during the Prohibition Era, The Library is a bit of a secret.  You even need a password to get in.  When you peer through the glass door at 47 Keong Saik Road (Singapore) all you see is a bookshelf adorned with books on pop art and architecture.  Behind that bookshelf, is a secret chamber flanked by mirrors tinged in red.  

The door swings open and you feel like you have stepped into a steampunk version of the roaring 20s.  Drowned in music, the copper bolted bar takes the spotlight and thirst overcomes you as you take in the visual feast.  

Former film student, Stefan Ravalli, is the brains behind this hidden bar adding his own style of assault of the dramatic to the Singapore scene.  We were lucky to have Stefan behind the bar that night and tried to order everything on the menu.

'We're not bartender poets.  We can't juggle.  
 We're not mixologists.
But we do love making drinks. 

 
We want to put the fun back into cocktails.  
All our drinks are made with the finest Singapore has to offer; hand-squeezed juices, fresh fruit and herbs, quality liquor we know
and love, and homemade ingredients;
all served up with fancy garnishes and unusual presentations. 
 
We take our drinks seriously so you don't have to.'

Ice Queen  - an aromatic collision of apple brandy, Yellow Chartreuese and Amaro Montenegro. Made zesty with equal parts lime and a dash of aromatic bitters.  You can have all the turkish delight you want. 
 

Silver Screen
A Hollywood old fashioned from back when drinks were drinks - popcorn-infused Elijah Craig 12 year bourbon stirred slowly with sweet toffee apple syrup and a dash of 3D bitters.  All done in one take, like a real pro. 

We Speak No Americano
We took the Negroni back to it's Yankee roots; Belvedere Cytrus vodka, shaken with Lillet blanc and Aperol, a lick of our Electric butters and an injection of fizz.

Top Secret
White calvados and Aperol, sneaking around with a touch of lemon, house-made raspberry grenadine, egg white and yoghurt powder.  Served straight up with a shocking relevation. 

Piscotheque!
Barsol pisco and fresh passionfruit, teamed with aromatic chamomile tea and our spiced pineapple shrub.  Served long with a smoking passionfruit 'egg', pineapple leaves, mint sprigs, and all manner of tiki overkill. 

Wonky Donkey
Manuka honey, vodka, fresh cucumber and lime, spiked with orange bitters, roseate, and a slug of our house ginger beer.  Served in a copper mug with mint sprigs and cucumber.

Permanent Surprise
 Botanically-modified Junmai sake is given a lift with watermelon shrub, Strega and chili.  Pressurised with CO2 in our favourite high-tech shaker and paired with a side of kimchi.  You'd hardly recognise it.  

The Bivs

'A bivouac is designed for rest and recuperation and that’s what we’re all about.'

Many a night have seen us take shelter at Bivouac, hiding from the merciless amount of dishes I create whilst cooking and the food shop that I should have done yesterday.  

The menu boasts Middle Eastern flavours, with delicious little pomegranate gems finding their way through many dishes.  The Bivs, as we affectionately call it, is the perfect place to retreat with friends.

Last time we tucked into:  

porcini & goat cheese croquettes, truffle mayo
pizza ~ sucuk turkish sausage, red pepper, wild iranian fig, ricotta, dukkah
spiced cauliflower, goat curd, currants
 slow cooked beef cheeks, jester potato, brussel sprouts, braising liquor, carrot jam & harissa
 egyptian spiced panna cotta, dried persian fruit compote, candied popcorn

West End Deli

It is safe to say that we are now spoilt for choice when it comes to good eating.  Whilst all the new digs popping up make me a little giddy, there is something so satisfying about visiting an old flame.  

West End Deli holds so many wonderful memories which would make your tummy rumble. Poached quinoa with stewed rhubard or pulled beef hash and a glass of cherry coloured ice tea with star anise that bobs its way to the top after every sip ... ahhhhh.

Sometimes you just want to stick with what you know and love.  

West End Deli with it's brooding blue walls and antique bric-a-brac was doing that rustic look long before the rest.  Each morning they serve up brunch and you can enjoy their dinner menu in the later parts of the week.  Tucked away on the North Perth side of Carr Street you often forget it is there.  We ventured here for a lazy Sunday morning indulgence.

Just when you think bacon and eggs is erring on the boring side, a monster serving of Elmar's double smoked (extra thick) bacon hits the table.  Served with perky poached eggs, freshly baked baguette and a disc of salty butter.  A side of smoked creamed corn brought me back to childhood breakfasts with my dad just this time without a side of chops, chips and eggs.  The mushroom terrine with blue cheese butter was a rich explosion calling for a tart glass of ice tea to break through the decadence.

The Tasmanian salmon is not your usual breky suspect.  Served Japanese style with sesame, spinach, slow egg and enoki mushrooms.  The miso broth giving the dish a smooth hit of umami.  It tasted like heaven and for once I actually left breakfast with a spring in my step rather than waddling out ready for the couch.

West End Deli is one of those venues that has stood the test of time. Homely with a lively atmosphere and thoughtfully crafted menu topped with baked goods that will having you coming back again.

Zambrero's Northbridge

If you were avoiding the Mexican cartel that has taken over the streets, then the Northbridge zone is also no longer safe.  On Thursday, Zambrero opened its doors on James Street welcoming its fourth store to WA.  Day 1 saw Zambrero's giving away 1000 burritos, whispers say it was one every fifteen seconds.  
 
I have been lucky enough to get to know the owners of Mt Lawley, Leederville and Subiaco really well.  Jamie and Eli opened their first store in Mt Lawley just in time for the Beaufort Street Festival 2011, the year that 80,000 attendees took us by surprise.  It's been a huge two years for these two with three successful stores under their belts.  I went along to the James Street opening party to down salt rimmed margaritas and play catch ups (eat burritos).   

The James Street store is beautifully fitted with earthy, wood features and feels oh so spacious thanks to the high ceiling with its original pressed tin.  The owners are new to the Zambrero scene and they have big plans for many more in the West. These plans include the ENEX dining hall which opens rather soon and will be giving the likes of Sumo Salad a run for its money. 

James Street will be the first to keep the doors open late into the night.  I imagine the drinking crowd will be pouring in.  Even when drunk the math is quite simple: burrito > kebab.  

As I write this on Sunday night I can honestly say that I have eaten at Zambrero three times this week. My favourite and failsafe option for when I need something fresh,  healthy and in a hurry.   Oh and you can leave feeling just that little bit more satisfied knowing that each time you eat at a Zambrero they donate a plate to someone in need.  

URBAN LOCAVORE | JUNE

The June tasting box was the perfect Winter night and I think we demolished it within 24 hours! 

The Wine Store

Mary Street Bakery

Did someone say bread? Actually, make that artisan bread.  

Mary Street Bakery will soon be dominating your newsfeed as everyone scrambles to try the latest offering from the food gods of Beaufort Street.  The only thing you will be sacrificing is your waistline as you tuck into baked goodies, breads, donuts and other tasty morsels.  But don't worry you can gulp it all down with their cold pressed juice and simply wash your sins away.  

I am still yet to fit in a breakfast or brunch with friends and Mary Street Bakery is definitely on my eating agenda this week. So in the meantime here are some snaps from a week or two ago. They sure know how to throw an house warming with guests leaving laden with freshly baked goods. Happy opening guys! 

Pinot Noir & Black Truffle Dinner

Winter.  Nothing warms the soul like a glass of wine and the comforts of the season.   Cold nights were made for pinot noir and truffles, Perigord black truffles to be precise.  

Must Winebar hosted their annual Pinot Noir & Black Truffle Dinner on a cold Thursday night.  Five courses showcasing seasonal produce rich with Al Blakers' Manjimup truffles.  Each dish creatively designed by Russell Blaikie and matched with local and imported gems carefully selected by Must's wine consultant, Paul McArdle.  

First Course
Truffled Sweet corn Croquette
Clemens Hill Pinot Noir Coal River Tasmania 2010

Second Course
Salt Roasted Celeriac, Jamon Iberico, Truffle Mayonnaise, Sourdough Toast
Hudelot-Noellat Bourgogne Rouge Burgundy France 2011
  

Third Course
Truffled Charcuterie Plate: Chicken Liver Parfait with Black Truffles & Truffled Pate en Croute of Plantagenet Pork, Truffle Mayonnaise
Valli Bannockburn Pinot Noir Central Otago NZ

Fourth Course
16 Hour Butterfield Beef Rib, Truffled Parish Mash, Sweet Baby Carrots, Pinot Noir-Black Truffle Jus
 Dugat-Py V.V Gevrey Chambertin Burgundy France 2009

Fifth Course
Truffled French Brie, Lavoche, Truffle-Salted Nuts
Littorai Savoy Anderson Valley California USA 201  

A trip to Must is now not complete without finishing the evening on the unique flavours of a Hattori Hanzo.  Served martini style and packed with a punch HH is a blend of Mutemuka shuzo sake, chili infused absolut vodka, St. Germain elderflower liqueur finished off with crème de violette.