WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

In the lifestyle supplement of today's Sydney Morning Herald.

$150 to $695?!!!! Poochie and I now have more to laugh about.

Dining In Our District

Our good ol' 'hood of Surry Hills sees the opening of yet another eatery - District Dining, the slightly more casual sister of Assiette just up the road.

On Thursday evening, when my old pal Ms Booth and I got together for one of our very irregular eat-drink-catch-up sessions, it was toss-up between going to Berta (also quite new, also an off-shoot of another more established eat-shop, Vini, also in Surry Hills) and District Dining. The latter won because Ms Booth is "quite a fan of Warren Turnbull", the chef. Haha. Me, I simply like what he does with food.

And when the food got delivered to our table, we weren't disappointed. (No what-we-ate-piccies but I've circled, on the menu, in red of what we ate - click on images to read.) Classic Warren-Turnbull-combos of simple ingredients put together to make dishes that taste bigger than the sum of what's gone into them.

To taste more off his menu, Ms Booth and I went our usual create-our-own-share-meal route instead of the standard entree-and-main one - the menu, like those of so many other places in Sydney, was worked so diners have the option of doing one or the other, or both. We had an all-entree meal:
~ King Crab, Sweetcorn Fritters, Basil - The fried crab and corn were delightful but it was the creamy basil dip that made a big impression. The pleasant hit of slow-burning chilli in it was totally unexpected. And I love to be surprised when eating.
~ Smoked Eel Pate, Cucumber, Green Onion Flatbread - I saw "smoked eel" written on the blackboard the moment we walked in and I knew we had to have it. From time to time, I still dream of the little morsels of smoked eel cromeski that I had at Assiette a long time back. I love eating that smoky snake-y fish and I was so happy to see that the chef still uses it.
~ Crispy Quail Eggs, Tarragon, Anchovy Mayonnaise - A very good example of what I meant when I said that Warren Turnbull's dishes taste bigger than the sum of the simple ingredients that have gone into making them. Reading it on paper and imagining how this dish would taste in your head will not prepare you for how it will taste in your mouth! To eat: Take one tiny lightly-crumbed egg, carefully cut the top off so you don't waste (or squirt, like I did) the precious runny yolk within, stuff it with one of the whole anchovies, smear it with the mayo and pop it in your mouth. I can eat it everyday!
~ Marinated Tuna, Wasabi Pannacotta, Soy Beans, Daikon - The wasabi pannacotta was what got us intrigued. It wasn't really a pannacotta but it worked so well with the delicately-marinated fish that we aren't complaining.
~ Seared Scallops, Cauliflower, Raisin, Dukkah - Reminded me of the scallop+cauliflower dish I had at Assiette. Perfectly cooked scallops with a cauliflower puree except the sweet element, the Pedro Ximenez (this sherry was all the rage a few years ago), has been replaced by a sticky raisin reduction of some sort. Still just as delicious.
~ Strawberries, Raspberries, Meringue, Vanilla Cream - This was the dessert that we thought we ordered. Kind of a pavlova/Eton Mess-type dessert. Instead, we got strawberries, berry-flavoured vanilla cream, very little bits of meringue, topped with a quenelle of berry sorbet. Similar (and delicious), just not what we had already planted in our heads. Then we realised why the waiter had said, "Strawberries and cream for dessert, ladies?" instead of what's written on the menu. Maybe the apprentice fucked up the day's batch of meringue or they had sold out but he should have made it clear to us.

Which brings us to the subject of service. While Ms Booth and I are not fans of the super-surly waitstaff at Assiette, I do like that they are efficient. At District Dining, we had a total of four different floor staff serve us at different times of the evening. What happened to having one waiter looking after a table for consistency and seamlessness in service? We were asked for our wine order twice and when our glasses were empty, the waitstaff (the one who didn't take our order) didn't know from which of the bottles kept iced at the waiter's station to pour from. When we cancelled our order for a side of french fries, again, the waitstaff who didn't take our order, took away not only the fries but also the tuna dish which we still wanted to have. This is not a big whinge about service - they were all polite albeit a little all-over-the-place - and it didn't spoil our evening but we think it's such a shame that the competency of the front-of-house doesn't match that of the kitchen.

District Dining
17 Randle Street
Surry Hills
Phone: (02) 9211 7798
Opening Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday - Lunch from 12noon to 3pm & dinner from 6pm to 11pm
Friday from 12noon to 11pm

Wing-Wednesday

As you might already know, we Chinese eat every part of an animal that is edible. I don't but I know loads who do. Way way way before Fergus Henderson brought his nose-to-tail eating philosophy to the masses.

When I first moved to Australia, I was shocked to discover that some white people don't eat chicken wings. They will use them (instead of the carcass like we do) to make stock and that was it.

"Too much skin and thus fatty," they say. But that's what makes them so good! The fat in the skin, when cooked right, makes it all crispy and so flavoursome! And the meat within, protected by the fat, remains moist and tender. The wings are without doubt my favourite parts of a chicken.

For dinner on Wednesday, we had them with corn-on-the-cob that I roasted in the oven at the same time as the wings.

With loads of butter (like there's not enough fat in the wings already...haha!), sweet paprika, pepper and salt.

And a big bowl of cold, tangy and colourful coleslaw to cut the fat and for some "healthful-ness".

To make your own honey & mustard chicken wings and coleslaw, see the recipes I wrote earlier.

Everything Will Taste Better

In these just-launched Orla Kiely kitchenware!

I squealed with delight when this bit of news popped into my inbox last week...

"With colour and pattern being the cornerstones of my world, our new kitchenware collection reflects this perfectly. I am always inspired by classic Scandinavian design and all things mid-century. I love the idea of reviving all over pattern on everyday objects such as casserole and butter dishes. With dark wood details and colour pops, the collection has been designed to be left out on show and not hidden away in cupboards." - Orla Kiely

...but my excitement waned when I thought of the cost of sending heavy stoneware from the UK to Sydney. And breakage. Which is why, I guess, those of us living outside of the UK can't even mail-order them from the website. Bah.

An Orla Kiely story:
One wet day sometime ago, I was standing outside the Fringe Bar Markets in Paddington in my Orla Kiely gumboots waiting for a pal. A girl walked by, pointed to my boots and exclaimed in an English accent, "You're a fan!" I looked at her bag and replied in my Singlish accent, "You're a fan too!" We laughed and she said, "I'm a fan who's lucky enough to be working for her." Damn! Lucky girl indeed!

She was here on a holiday and we started chatting about shopping in Sydney and how hard it is for us to buy Orla Kiely goods here. She revealed (and I squealed) that the company was looking into finding suitable stockists in Australia and maybe even opening a shop! But that was a couple of years ago now. Maybe they've shelved the plan. Sucks for us living Down Under. My food really needs that bit of Multi Stem print boost!

I Miss Little India!

The one in Singapore. After an Indian lunch with my aunt yesterday.

We went to Maya just down the road from where I live. The "fast food" one, not the posher one across the road.

My aunt wanted a light lunch after her yoga class and the paper dosa was, well, as light as paper. Haha.

I had my all-time favourite poori.

The food is nothing like what we get at the Indian eateries in Little India in Singapore. Where it's tastier and for a fraction of the price. That's why I miss it. But beggars cannot be choosers, right? Maya's food is not crappy. Just not what I'm used to eating.

Brought home some giant samosas for the boyfriend.


My aunt's husband was in Singapore for a holiday recently and my mom gave him a whole load of foodstuff to give to me. In that big bag were some dried anchovies and salted fish. The stuff that a good fried rice is made of! Wheeeeee!!!!! I miss the food in Singapore.

Maya Vegetarian Indian Restaurant
468 - 472 Cleveland Street
Surry Hills
Phone: 9699 8663
Website: www.mayavegetarian.com.au

Demolition Day!

Yesterday was the last day of business for the first cycle of designers/makers at the Finders Keepers Arcade Project at Gaffa. I went in to pack my goods away and took some photographs of the displays by the other girls before they were taken down for good to make way for the next batch of crafty folks.

Frankie's Reading Room. Where you could peruse and purchase their cookbooks, Afternoon Tea and Sweet Treats, their photo album, their calendar for 2011 and other little printed bits-and-bobs. And all the furniture that you see are for sale too! We would have taken that cute bendy lamp home if didn't already have one.

Tinker by Printink Studio. A gorgeous range of handprinted textile products.

I bought that linen calendar teatowel in Marmalade, that bright orange. A modern take of those old touristy ones. Tee hee hee.

Me And Amber. Two lovely girls who make really pretty prints.

Nicky and her whimsical illustrations. She has a website but I've misplaced her business card. Duh.

Andrea Smith and her papercraft.

Made By White and The Storybook Rabbit.

I've always loved Made By White's jewellery since I first saw them at the Hope Street Markets, the first incarnation of Finders Keepers Markets.

The Storybook Rabbit's re-worked vintage plates are new to me but didn't stop me from wanting quite a few!

If you've didn't get down to Gaffa before we left with our goods yesterday, make sure you don't miss the second cycle of designers. They are setting up as I type, getting ready for the launch evening this Thursday. I'll be there looking at old furniture and objects by Explore The Kerb.

Finders Keepers' Arcade Project at Gaffa
Gaffa Gallery
281 Clarence Street
Sydney
Ph: (02) 9283 4273
From Wednesday 27 October to Tuesday 23 November
Opening Hours: Monday - Friday: 10 - 6pm, Saturday: 11 - 5pm, Sunday + Holidays: Closed

Doing The Angus ϟ Young

Blazer - Sportsgirl, V-Neck T-shirt - American Apparel, Shorts - Mishka & Milka, Boots - Sportsgirl

The lead guitarist of ACϟDC. Likes wearing schoolboys' uniforms on stage.

Like most girls, I file away in my head, sometimes consciously, sometimes not, images of stylish ladies that I see in magazines, on the internet or on the streets. Like my favourite scenes from movies. To be recalled when inspiration is needed or simply to be played back just to re-live the moment for some happy reminiscing.

In the same "folder", if you have special x-ray-eye power to see through my skull, you'll also find pictures of men that have in many ways influenced what I wore over the years. Most of which are from the music business because music has been as big a part of my life as fashion. The late Kurt Cobain (for his fuzzy thrift store sweaters and cardigans, not flannel shirts)...Elvis (sideburns and jumpsuits)...Mick Jagger (skin-tight t-shirts and hip-hugging flares in the Stones' heyday)...The Stone Roses (parallel flares, Reni's bucket hat, the haircuts)...Duran Duran (haircuts and drapey Japanese designerwear in the early days to their sharp suits when they fell into the "ageing rockers" category)...The Jesus & Mary Chain (Rayban Wayfarers and haircuts again)...David Bowie (the chameleon!)...Boy George (even though he was half-a-girl)...Maximo Park (the lead singer's buff bod in slim suits)...the list goes on and on...spanning decades to include images of collections from Hedi Slimane's years at Dior Homme and the current Thom Browne Man.

Elbow patches!

Sometimes, I think, as much as I love my girly dresses and things, I want to be a male rockstar. With nothing black in the wardrobe, of course.

While waiting for the bus with my old camo bag

With loads of clashing prints and patterns. (And I came home to find this! I want his jacket! Elbow patches and all!)

A Cat, A Mouse And Many Birds

All spotted yesterday afternoon along the same street.

It was a little like watching cartoons - Tom & Jerry (or Itchy & Scratchy) followed by Tweety. Made walking down to Chinatown for lunch in the yucky rain less of a pain.

Let Us Eat Cakes!

At yesterday's girly afternoon tea party. Where we drank more alcoholic beverages than tea. In fact, we didn't have any at all. Tee hee hee. (Do I hear you tutting away, Natalie?)

Instead of teacups on saucers, we had wineglasses and these pretty floral paper cups. The lovely lady who brought them said that they were $2 per tube of assorted ones! $2!!!! From a $2 shop in Marrickville. I'm definitely going to hunt some down!

The Fridge Spoke Again

Yes, another food post.

I was saying to Ms Carpet last week that I haven't been inspired to cook much lately because my head hasn't been able to make that switch from thinking about rich stewy Winter-y dishes to light Spring-y meals. And how the ping-ponging weather pattern hasn't been helping either? I think I've crossed that hump. Hence the cooking fever.

Yesterday, Mr Fridge suggested using what's left of the basil from Wednesday's pasta. He's quite clever, our Mr Fridge. So I made some Thai Basil Chicken from a recipe in this month's Gourmet Traveller.

I knew when I first looked at the recipe that it was not going to come close to the one we get at our beloved Chat Thai - the ingredients list was too short. I made it as prescribed anyway just to see how far off it was. Very. It was tasty. Just not how we like it. But the double fried eggs saved the day!

No Cravings

Unlike the few days before, I didn't have imaginary food pals in my head yesterday going "You want to eat me! Yes, you do!". I was kind of relieved but it also made thinking of what to make for dinner a little difficult without little voices telling you what to put on the table. So I turned to our fridge for tips.

He said, "You ought to start making some space in my belly. Let's start by getting rid of these eschalots that you confit'ed in duck fat in August."

"OK, it makes sense. Their three-month shelf life is nearly up." I replied.

So out I went and got some goats' cheese.

And made some Eschalot Confit and Goats' Cheese Tarts.

Dinner idea courtesy of our fridge. Organic greens, from my uncle's garden, which my aunt dropped off in the afternoon.

The black dribbles on the tart were my last-minute attempt at making a balsamic vinegar reduction before the hungry boyfriend got home. How very old-school, huh? Who uses that anymore? I didn't have enough time to take it far enough to the slightly sticky-jammy consistency but I put it on anyway because the tarts needed the acidity to cut the richness of the duck fat and cheese.

I'm still not hearing little voices in my head today. Might have to talk to Mr Fridge again.

This Saturday: A Girly Afternoon Tea

And you are all invited!

To mark the end of the first cycle of designers at their pop-up shop at Gaffa, the lovely Finders Keepers girls will be hosting a little afternoon tea party on Saturday.

This weekend will be your last chance to shop this first round of makers/designers and I can't think of a better way to do it!

Shopping + sweets treats + meeting and hanging out with other girls who love pretty things = a fantastic day-out!

We hope to see you there! (I'll be bringing some of my handmade chocolate truffles.)

Finders Keepers' Afternoon Tea Party
Saturday 23 October 2010
From 2pm to 4pm
Gaffa Gallery
281 Clarence Street
Sydney
Ph: (02) 9283 4273

More Cravings

Cherry tomatoes doused in olive oil + salt flakes, pepper and thyme ready to be roasted

Yesterday, I wanted pasta. I am so glad the boyfriend and I are not into breeding. Can you imagine me pregnant? I think my food cravings will increase 1000-fold! And it won't be fun lugging around a huge bowling-ball-of-a-tummy and trying to make food to satiate those desires.

Big fat leafy fragrant basil

Yes, I was craving pasta but not in a creamy or tomato-y sauce. Like how it affects my mood and what I wear daily, the weather also dictates what I like to eat. It was surprisingly nice yesterday, still a little nippy but sunny, which made me want a simple noodles-in-olive-oil dinner.

Baby bocconcini

The pasta version of the Insalata Caprese, I thought. Easy and tasty.

Minced garlic softened in loads of extra-virgin olive oil + oven-roasted cherry tomatoes + shredded basil + chopped parsley + pasta + chunks of baby bocconcini thrown in at the last minute to allow them to melt just-so for that stringy effect + topped with loads of grated parmesan. Good clean happy meal!

Finished with big scoops from the tub of rhubarb-flavoured Gundowring ice cream that the boyfriend brought home.

Ms Carpet, who gave us our first taste of Gondowring, said that she's created an ice-cream-loving monster in the boyfriend who normally don't care for sweet things. Haha. I think I've figured out why he likes this make of ice cream so much - it's not overly sweet like most. It's got sugar, yeah, but its not all you taste?