Point + Shoot: Sunday Brunch

 

Fond friends. Truffled eggs. Crispy baked bacon curls. Hot sugary tea. Chubby baby cheeks. This is the stuff that good mornings are made from.

We’ll be back.

Playing along with sunny+scout.

Sunday Sun

Today we’ve had one of those Sunday’s that you wish you could have more often. Well, perhaps we could have done with sleeping in past 6.15am, but after that it was perfect. First of all, Pebble had a two hour nap! …pause to revel in that awesomeness….I got a few small jobs done around the house, but nothing too stressful, just the kind of jobs that make you feel better for doing them. Then we trundled off to enjoy a glass of wine or two, a divinely scrumptious meal and good company at Woodstock Winery, where we hosted our wedding reception. They had sent us a $50 voucher to spend and it was just the thing to encourage us out of the house and indulge for an afternoon. And the FOOD! Oh, it was really too good. I kept taking bite after bite and saying, “I want to know how to make this!”. Perhaps even better than the food itself, Pebble fell asleep right on time for lunch!

The restaurant was buzzing, there were quite a few big tables of people celebrating, and lots of babies and children adding to the lively atmosphere. Instead of feeling frantic, the three piece jazz band played light and sparkling music which relaxed our shoulders, and our minds. Our friendly waitress kindly offered to take our order quickly, so that could get in ahead of a large group that had just arrived. Our meals arrived promptly, and the oohing and aaaahing began. Paul and his Mum, Kath, ordered the juicy, minty lamb cutlets, served with potato, feta, pea and mint salad. The jus was absolutely lick-able.

I ordered the market fish special, a crispy skinned lemon and butter king fish with a meltingly soft potato gratin, asparagus and a creamy capsicum sauce. The flavours exploded in my mouth, this was just so, so tasty. I wish I could cook this well. I think the local, seasonal and fresh produce made this dish, and of course the excellent technique of the chefs. Practice makes perfect, I’ll have to give it a go at home.

We all shared a generous serve of butternut pumpkin with caramelised onions, blue cheese and pine nuts. The soft, creamy flesh of the butternut paired perfectly with the sweet and rich caramelised onions and just a hint of blue cheese. The crunch of the pinenuts was the icing on the cake, so to speak.
 
But we couldn’t stop there. Could we? Really? Not when the food had been SO good. We just had to try the desserts, of course we did! Usually we share a dessert, but the offerings looked so delectable that we had one each. Kath had the dark chocolate mousse cylinder, with layers of dark and white chocolate mousse, mandarin foam and mandarin and ginger syryp. It was rich and decadent, and she needed a bit of Paul’s help to finish it off!

Paul had the pithivier (tart, I believe) of local apple and cherries, with local almonds and baileys ice cream. Paul raved about the almonds – you just don’t realise how good something should be until you taste it fresh and well grown.

I’m a sucker for cheesecake and chose the mini baked goats cheese cake with sable pastry, balsamic strawberries, roasted rhubarb, crystallised rose petals (lovely) and balsamic ice cream. Oh MY, this was good! A little bit of yum, with a side of scrummy and topped with delish! It was rich, creamy, fruity, juicy and zingy. Y. U. M.

Topped off with smooth coffee we were well and truly full. We rolled on out of there with mumblings of not having any dinner tonight (but really, those of you who know me know that I never skip a meal). I think one of my favourite parts of the day, though, was using the toilet. Yes, that’s right. Strangely, that’s where I got the strongest memories from my wedding. The reminder of lifting up the train and voluminous skirt, and having a rare moment to myself that day to reflect on the pure and simple happiness that was our wedding day. I loved our wedding. It was the happiest day of my life. If only it took something a little more romantic than a commode to remind me of it.
If you’re in SA get yourself into Woodstock winery. You won’t regret it! (no Woodstock are not paying me to write this. I just love that place!).

Point + Shoot

First anniversary lunch @ Brighton Jetty Cafe.

Brighton Jetty

The girl: Snapper with polenta, asparagus, tomato and hollandaise

 
The boy: Fish and Chips

The girl: Portuguese Pudim with almond icecream, caramel and cream (the boy had tiramisu).

The boy + the girl.

Kick up your heels

Last night I wore a pair of heels in the first time since….. I can’t remember!
The three of us went out for dinner for our friend Matt’s birthday. Another first – taking Pebble out to a restaurant with us in the evening.
We maybe could have got a baby sitter, but this weekend is busy for everyone. Paul’s mum is already baby sitting our three nieces while Aunty Julie and Uncle Mike are away. Uncle Darren is away. And my parents are both eagerly awaiting the arrival of a new little one, as my sister prepares to give birth to her second baby girl. They’ll probably tell me off for not asking them to baby sit :)
In any case, it was a good opportunity to try out the whole ‘take the kid out at night’ thing. We had a private room in the restaurant, and our friends are very understanding  of kids and such.
If only someone was there to film the hoo-ha of Paul and I getting ready for Operation Dining Out. We were BOTH ready an hour early (Paul is notoriously late). We sat twiddling our thumbs and debating various scenarios that the night may bring. Then getting the car ready was a James Bond-esque stunt of stealthily packing bags, loading the car, then stealing into the babes room to swipe her from her sleep.
A frantic buckle and tuck later, and Pebble was whisked off into the black night. She made a few squeaks and grizzles, and after two or three minutes was back in her slumber.
Once we arrived at the restaurant Pebble woke up and said hello to everyone before having a little grizzle and going back to sleep (with some earnest jiggling from me, whilst I plugged her mouth with a dummy, and mine with Nepalese entrees).
The journey home was much the same as the one out. Uneventful.
I had envisaged taking photos of dinner and writing a little restaurant review. Ha! It was good fun though. Maybe next time we’ll even join everyone for cake afterwards instead of rushing our bundle back home.
We did it. And we can do it again.

More curry. Nothing happening in a hurry.

Last nights curry ended up being a Thai meal (red beef curry) as our local Indian place apparently doesn’t open on Tuesdays. Tonight, after the obs we decided to curry it up again, and went to the Indian place. Yes, it’s very lazy, expensive and unhealthy to be buying these take aways, but we’ve used up all our energy on cleaning, so there’s been no time for shopping and cooking!

Now for the obs news. Hmmmmm. I had an internal and basically I am 0 cm dilated and 0% effaced. Not exactly what I wanted to hear when I am already two days over due.

I have been booked in for induction on Monday. We arrive at hospital at 9.30pm, and I will be given my first lot of gels at 12am. If I need it, I will be given more gels at 4am. If my waters haven’t broken yet, but I am progressing (ie. dilating and ‘ripening’) they will break my waters by 8am. If I need it, they will then give me Syntocinon to help my labour progress further. If I am not progressed enough to break my waters, I will have to have a Ceasarian. If this is all another language to you, and you want to know more, then click through the links. But trust me, you probably don’t want to know!

Meanwhile, we will keep trying as many natural methods to induce labour as we can. I’d really like to avoid medical induction, but if I can’t I won’t worry myself about. The most important thing is that the baby is healthy.

Either way, I’ll definitely be a mummy by this time next week!

Thursday night culture

Last night my dad gave me a late call to come along to an art show where my uncle (dad’s youngest brother) was showing some of his art. Mr RG and I jumped at the chance to get out and support my uncle, and also to catch up with the olds :)

This is one of the pieces that my uncle showed. It’s created using paper, ochre and glue. This is one of my favourites, though this pic doesn’t do it justice.

Wicked Step-Mother checking out some work.

My uncle and another of his works. He’s been getting quite the cred in the local art scene. If you’d like to know more please leave a comment and I’ll hook you up.

Arty farty – the photo on the left is by Emma Hack.

Then we took my baby belly out to dinner at a tried and tested restaurant. I’ve  been here for work xmas dos, coffee and cake during uni (I went to the campus over yonder) and family celebrations (including my graduation celebration lunch!).

Delicious soft but crunchy, melty, buttery, garlicy bread.

I think Mr RG had the best dish on the table – Veal Scaloppine.

I was craving veg, so got this plain pasta with lots of green veg in it. It was what I needed but not so tasty.

Here’s something I DIDN’T need – white chocolate cheesecake. It was very good, but equally as good as  my sisters efforts. I shared it with Mr RG while supping on this decaf coffee (no caffeine for bubs – sugar yes, caffeine, no).

How awesome are art openings for a cheap night  out? There were people with babies there, so Mr RG and I are totally planning on some post-baby budget evenings to crash these events, mwahahahahaha. Free wine! Sometimes free nibbles! Out of the house with real humans, with a bub in tow!
I jest, peeps, I jest. Artists and art lovers: please don’t send  me hate mail. Respect.

Angus Beef @ Maccas?

I haven’t had Maccas for a looooooong time, but these burgers have me intrigued. Of course I’d say ixnay to the onion, but I’m willing to give these a go.


You can read a review, or try it yourself. I’ll let you know if I go there. Right now I have a fridge and freezer fully stocked with leftovers to be eaten, so I won’t be having take away any time soon.
Let me know if you try it!

Curry in a Hurry

Last night I met some friends at a lovely Indian restaurant in the city, where we enjoyed a Feast.  This menu provided the perfect amount of food to share, unlike so many banquets, that leave you soooooo stuffed that you can’t breathe afterwards.

My entree plate

• samosa (crisp Indian short pastry packed with spiced potatoes and sautéed green peas, served with chutneys),
• lamb sheekh kebab (Lean lamb finely minced with ginger, garlic, coriander leaves, sweet onion, intertwined with a fine array of spices roasted in the tandoor and served with tasty sauces), and
• chicken tikka (Bite size pieces of lean chicken fillet properly marinated in yogurt, spices and tandoori masala roasted in the tandoor, served with fine chutneys).

The table shared this plate of onion bahji - marinated and spiced onion strips dipped in chickpea and cumin batter deep fried to perfection and served with an assortment of chutneys. So yummy with the mint chutney!

The curries arrived….
Murgh Makani (Butter Chicken)
This very mild and tasty Indian dish is the most favoured Indian dish in all Australia. Boneless chicken pieces marinated for hours in a light and delicious tandoori masala. Then roasted in the clay oven to perfection and served with a delicious rich blend of fresh butter, cashew nut, fennel, and a truly remarkable mild tomato creme sauce.
This was sweeter than I’ve had before, and very tomato-y. I enjoyed it, but it wasn’t my favourite.

Vegetable korma
Specially prepared veg in a fine creamy sauce, brilliant cashew and tomato paste, flavoured by subtle spices and garnished with nuts.
This was (surprisingly!) my favourite. I usually don’t go for vegetarian dishes, I kind of don’t get the point without the meat. But this was lovely and buttery, and anything with cashews is always good.

Lamb Rogan Josh
Lean cubes of tender lamb cooked in a delicious thick masala sauce of onions, tomatoes, tamarind, yoghurt, kashmiri herbs, fragrant spices and a truly magnificent medium hot lamb dish.
I really enjoyed this, the lamb flaked apart beautifully and it had a lovely rich flavour.

Essential Raita and chutneys. Mmmmmmmm. My favourite was the mint.

My plate – mmmm naan!

Rhea dropped in on us during dinner, it was good to have a chat and see her before she leaves for OS (today!). Ms Orsome is still with us for another week, although I won’t be seeing her, so it’s really farewell time *cry*
After dinner we went with Ms Orsome to meet Rhea and friends at La Boehme. I really don’t get out much these days, and had never been to this bar before. It was a very cosy and cool little (very little!) spot where you can get smashing cocktails. Not to be left out, I asked the very helpful bar person for a baby friendly tipple, and she made me this fruit salad concoction.

I loved the chopsticks for digging out the fruit at the end!
If you want to try some of the curry for yourself, and you live in South Australia, get yourself down to Arya Restaurant in North Adelaide.

Or drop into La Boehme  for a drink.

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America - home of the delicious

America just has sooooo much good stuff! The UK is pretty awesome too. By stuff, I mean food and drink, of course. Check out this post by Kath to see the awesome places she got out and about to in one day. Beer tastings, awesome salads, homemade ice cream shops, cup cake shops.....ahhhhhhhhh. Heaven!

Update: OMG and the next day they did all of this!

This little piggy

Oh my, did I ever eat too much yesterday! I’m not sure what came over me. It started well, with porridge for breakfast. Then there was scrambled eggs for lunch, not too bad. Then honey on buttered (wholemeal) crumpets for afternoon tea. Ok not necessary but not too bad. Then three large handfuls (or more….) of cheezels. WTF? THEN dinner at Jerusalem's for Teresa’s bday. The food just. wouldn’t. stop.
We had a banquet, thanks to Teresa and K.Rudd’s generosity. It included:

• Pita bread
• Hummus
• Tabouli
• Cucumber & capsicum salad
• Falafels (best felafels in Radelaide)
• Yoghurty sultana curry rice
• Lamb Kofta
• Marinated chicken
• Lamb shish kebab
• Stuffed potatoes
• Deep fried cauliflower

That list really doesn’t seem to portray the enormity of this banquet. Or the interestingnessness of the restaurant itself. Paul and I arrived to trudge up some scarily ancient and disgusting carpeted stairs to find Kelly and Elke sitting on cushions on the floor at three long tables. Hmmm. Sitting on the floor. Dirty carpet. Dirty cushions. I was dying for a wee (naturally) so I went to the toilet (as you do). The toilet. I remember Egypt. This was like a direct portal to Egypt. It’s nice that they try to make the experience authentic. A true theme restaurant. Wet floor, ancient dirt and grime on every surface, a hand towel that looked like it was breeding alien life forms. I felt like washing my hands would actually make my hands dirtier!
I sat down on the floor to see that my classy melamine plate and plastic cup were slightly smudged, and there was an interesting yellow smear on my plate. I used my 99c shop napkin to wipe it. While sitting down I glanced around behind me and saw some sliding doors with bubble glass – and what appeared to be a TV behind it. I could make out a couch, coffee table, shelves….. people! It was a living room! The owners (I assume) literally live in this restaurant, and their living room was not a metre away, separated by some classic 70s bubble class. Gold!
The service was…. absent. There was a water cooler nearby, where people were fetching themselves glasses of refreshing liquid. I declined, thinking only of the certainly murky greenish slime inside said cooler. After about an hour (with no food yet) Paul walked into the kitchen and called out for someone to please get us a couple of jugs of soft drink, which arrived in lovely plastic smudgy jugs.
I was starting to day dream about the drive thru feast that I would have to buy on the way home when the food arrived. I was thinking that I wouldn’t eat much, as the hygiene was so lacking I was worried about getting sick. But the food was amazing. Cheap, tasty, never ending Lebanese awesomeness. I stuffed myself with pita, hommus, tabouli and felafel, thinking this was it. But plate after plate kept coming and coming. I ended up having only a quarter of a potato, to taste, a nibble of chicken to taste, a square of lamb to taste, and a nibble of cauliflower (the only disappointing dish). I must have eaten a lot of the first few plates because I was SO FULL. Maybe it was the crumpets and cheezels……
Then the best bit. The belly dancer arrived! She was really quite good, and got everyone into the spirit of things with clapping and cheering. Then she dragged the birthday girl up, followed by a couple of friends, then eventually had everyone in the room in a circle doing belly moves (quite tricky with a belly full of food!).
It was a lot of fun and a good way to end the meal before heading off to Apothecary for a night cap. We stayed for one glass of wine (for Paul, not me) before heading off around 11pm. I felt bad about leaving but really wanted to get plenty of rest for myself and my growing friend.
I have the WORST garlic breath this morning. Not just breath either. I feel it literally coming out of my pores, like a mist of garlic surrounding me.
Here are some pics of the evening. Some of these really need to be viewed full size to get the real feel of the place. Go ahead and click.