Indian delicious food in Canberra

I lived for 2 years in Canberra and while living there I tried a few Indian restaurants.  My favorite: Bollywood Masala in Dickson! 

We go back to "The Berra" a few times a year, visiting family and friends, and I always try to meet friends for lunch or dinner. This Christmas holiday wasn't an exception so I went back to Bollywood Masala! 

My selection of food this time was simple but awesome and substantial: Aloo Naan bread (stuffed with potato), Kadai Murg (Chicken),  Special Saffron Rice, and Mango Lasi. It was all great, the place is well decorated so it would be a nice choice for an special occasion, and prices are fine.

The restaurant is conveniently located near Dickson Shops & Canberra's Chinatown, which is surrounded by a few bars where you could have a couple of drinks afterwards. 

Bollywood Masala Restaurant - Bar - Tandoor:10 out of 10 !

Awesome cooking at home

Recently, talking to someone that l know, he quoted the following words that inspired me: "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mistery, but today is here and now".

Life changes everyday and I just decided (realised) that I need to save more money if I really want to keep enjoying  a confortable way of living for as long as possible. That doesn't mean that I won't allow myself any gift, pleasures or nights out, but I definitely need to change some habits.  One of my favorites: eating out,  trying new restaurants or types of food.

In my efforts for trying to make the most of my money, I'm cooking more and more different recipes from all around the world at home, from the easiest ones to some pretty difficult recipes. And I am having so much fun! I've never been a big fan of cooking but inviting friends over, taking it as a relaxing therapy, and having some wine while cooking it's been great!

My latest home-cooked meal was delicious, easier that I thought it was going to be, and I impressed everyone with it (even myself): Chicken and chorizo paella by Curtis Stone. This is the recipe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaToWbSaJcU&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Saving money doesn't have to be a nightmare. Have fun cooking by yourself or with friends, and enjoy life!

Ricky Martin!

Last month I went with 2 of my friends to Ricky Martin's concert and OMG... we had an amazing time delighted by this hot and charismatic artist from Puerto Rico.

I have never been a huge fan of Ricky Martin but, after watching the last season of The Voice Australia when his concert was announced, my friends invited me to come and have a girls night out. The first thing I noticed was the concert's audience: women... but he is just like a goof wine that gets better with time ;)

The show was very entertaining, Ricky made everyone dance,  sing and smile, and I can even say that it has been one of the best concerts I've been to. And when the concert finished there was a dj playing cool party music at the exit of yhe venue so a lot of people stayed a bit longer dancing and having a bit of extra fun.

Friends + good music: always a winner!

Romantic Get Away to Orange

Last weekend my husband and I drove to Orange to celebrate our first wedding anniversary: beautiful town in New South Wales surrounded by wineries, hotels, restaurants and very nice people.

We wanted to have a romantic weekend to celebrate our special first anniversary of marriage and we nailed it. We visites few wineries in the area tasting all they had available,  and there was a place where they produce cider.

It is a small town of friendly people,  with some nice options to go out and eat out.  Our favorites wineries were Stockman's Ridge, De Salis and Phillip Shaw, and to go out and eat we loved The Union Bank.

In our way back we stopped in Bathurst to visit Stone Pine, a very nice distilery. My favorites were the rum, the limecello and the apple schnapp.

If you're planning a little get away, keep Orange in mind.

"The closer you look, the less you see"

Movie: Now You See Me.... I just need to say that it is a GREAT MOVIE!

It combines suspense, Las Vegas, illusionists, and a great cast: Mark Ruffalo, Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, Michael Caine.

You just have to sit back, try not to think too much and enjoy the movie.

VCuisine in Randwick

If you enjoy fresh and delicious vietnamese food, you have to visit VCuisine in Randwick.

I loved the Fresh Crunchy Rolls (4)(GF): vietnamese pancake, chicken mince, water chest nuts, bamboo shoots, mushroom wrap in rice paper (4) served with fish sauce (most popular dish of vcuisine). This was the entree, big enough to share.This one was my favorite dish so next time I'll eat it all without sharing it... ;-)

For main I ordered the VCuisine Delights Grande (GF): vermicelli, fresh mixed herbs, peanuts, bean sprouts and chargrilled pork, from the northern regions of vietnam. I was delighted with the way the dish was served as the meat is grilled on your table and then you have to make your own rolls. Super fresh and tasty.

If you want to impress someone special, VCuisine is a great option for it. Prices match the quality of their food and service.

Malaysian roti and satay

I finally had the pleasure of eating at at Mamak - Malaysian roti and satay restaurant in Sydney's Chinatown, and it was amazing! 

Have you ever been walking around a particular area and there is that little restaurant that always is packed, and you think: "if this place is always full of people that means that it most be good, I will have to eat here soon and try it"... and you say that to yourself all the time but for whaterver reason you never have enough time to actually stop there.

Well,  Mamak was that little restaurant too me for almost a year, I always wanted to try and last night I finally did it!  We had to wait outside 15min until we got a table and it was all worth it.

I loved the Savoury Roti Canai and the Roti Planta, and the lentils'dip that comes with it. I also had the Satay Chicken and the sauce is amazing! I need to go back and try different dishes because I'm sure I'll be delighted with everything.

10/10 for Mamak! Great food, good service and prices. Now it's in my Top 10 list of great food in Sydney.

Brazilian - Italian delicious lunch

Today I was waiting with friends for my husband in Coogee and we were so hungry that couldn't wait for him to have lunch, and what a lunch he missed!

After walking up and down around the area we decided to eat in a nice little Brazilian - Italian restaurant called Farinha, where if you are lucky you could actually see from the sidewalk how they make their own pasta and pizzas.

I couldn't resist to order a pasta after seeing how it was being freshly made, and it was worth it! Best pasta I have had in Australia. I enjoyed for $16 a fresh pasta with mushrooms,  a white sauce and tender & awesomely cooked pieces of beef. It was served in the same little frypan where it was cooked which, for me, was very attractive, different and fresh.  Even though they took long time to bring the orders to the table, the food and the service were both really good.

I can't wait to go back to try the degustation menu they offer so I'll get to taste lots more: pastas, pizzas & salads. 

Farinha: 10/10!

A "cheapish" in Sydney

Sydney is one of the top 10 most expensive cities in the world, reason why finding cheap options and saving some coins is always a good idea.

I love going out with friends and have some drink and/or dinner, but sometimes the money factor can affect my plans. 

Here is a place that I suggest for those who live in Sydney and, like me, are always happy to find a place where to enjoy a cold drink (or 2, or 3) without having to spend so much: the Shark Hotel on Liverpool St. I also had dinner there a couple of times (Thai) and it was really nice, so why not to give it a try?

If you know another cheapish option like this one please share it with me! 

Tourist for a few hours

Sydney is a beautiful city and the weather has been great in the last few weeks, so I decided to go to Darling Harbour on Saturday arvo to enjoy a cold refreshing drink & lunch.

I'm not originally from Sydney and I've been told that locals do not visit this area frequently because "it is very touristic".  That is exactly the reason why I enjoyed it so much, feeling like you are on holidays for a few hours.

We walked from Chinatown to Cockle Bay, untill we finally stopped in a restaurant on the wharf facing the water... what a lovelly day and view!

All around the area restaurants offer good deals for drinks and food, cheaper for lunch than for dinner, so you don't really need to spend too much for it. $4 Coronas or wine, $10 to $15 meal to eat by yourself or sharing with friends.  I ordered nice fish & chips at Nick's Seafood Restaurant and, after a couple of drinks with a friend, left the place around 5pm feeling like a tourist in love with Sydney.

I can't wait until spring is here with warmer and longer days, flowers,  sun and colours!

Winter entertainment

City2Surf is on tomorrow!!! I'm not actually doing it but I have plan to go and take pictures: my new hobby.

Good luck to everyone and have fun!

Gloria's Portuguese food

Recently we were looking for a place to have lunch that was not Asian, not because I don't like it but because we always eat at one of the thousands of Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian (and so on) restaurants in Sydney. For this reason we went to Petersham to buy delicious Portuguese Tarts that someone mentioned to us.

While there, there was this place offering something called Rojoes and Feijoada as their specials for lunch, so we decided to try both. Good decision!

They served some olives and bread + butter, which we devoured before the mains arrived: huge & delicious meals. Maybe it isn't the healthiest option but it was all delicious!  There were some sweet options for desserts but we couldn't eat anymore, although we did order a couple of Portuguese Tarts to take away.

The service was very good and the place has a good vibe so if you feel like trying new food in Sydney, you most try Gloria's Portuguese Restaurant in Petersham.

World War Z... the zombie movie

Tonight I went to the cinema at the Entertainment Quarter and watched Brad Pitt's latest movie: World War Z (3D) and quite liked it!

I knew it was all about zombies, people dying, blood, etc, etc, but I found it interesting, more than I expected.  Yes, it is another zombie movie but Brad is in it (what's his secret to be that sexy all the time?) and the story moves fast maintaining your attention, especially if you are watching it in 3D.

I'm looking forward to watch The Great Gatsby and Man of Steel, but if you're keen on watching a horror movie World War Z is a good option.

Good night... if I get to sleep.

Best coffee!

I know everybody talks about where to get the best coffee in Sydney, in Australia,  and everywhere but I think I have the answer: Cornersmith in Marrickville,  near the train station.

I didn't use to drink coffee at all, just sometimes and usually for social reasons, until I had a large flat white at Cornersmith!  Since then I can't stop it! Delicious coffee and smoothies, prices are fine, really good organic food produced locally and the service is great. It is the nice cafe around the corner where you feel welcome.

10 out of 10!

Happy days

Last Sunday I was at home channel surfing and for the first time I watched Graham Norton Show, and this is the great surprise that I came across: Watch "Will Smith Reunites With DJ Jazzy Jeff, Alfonso Ribeiro on 'Graham Norton Show" on YouTube

For anybody that is around my age (30-ish) The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is an icon of our childhood... Good times.

Hope you have a nice smile on your face while you are watching it, as I did!

Bloodwood in Newtown

To celebrate my partner's birthday I invited him to have dinner in Bloodwood, a place that I friend of mine recomended saying they have good cocktails. In order to discover new areas and places, I searched online for people's reviews about this place and they were all good.

We had a great dinner, excellent service, the food delicious and good prices. I totally recomend this restaurant! It's modern Australian cusine served like tapas, great to share.  

I loved the polenta chips, braised lamb nuggets with pistachio crumb, socca, and the chocolate-caramel-peanut torte with banana mousse. Sadly I was the designated driver that night so I need to go to try some of their famous cocktails.

Like in the TV show Master Chef , I score them 10 out of 10!

Vivid Sydney 2013

Last night we went to enjoy the Vivid Festival, also known as the festival of lights. It was a rainy day but that wasn't enough reason to stop people to go and walk around Circular Quay & The Rocks enjoying it all.
These festivals are great free opportunities to get to know the city a bit more while... Sydney is a beautiful city!

Picnic in Bondi

I had one of those weeks that makes you feel tired and miserable. On Sunday I just wanted to forget about it. Trying not to spend any money, my partner and I decided to have a picnic in Bondi beach: What a great idea!

Yes, I know everybody does that all the time -especially in Sydney- but just by doing something relaxing and simple we enjoyed a great time under the sun in front of an amazing beach and not even thinking about how good or bad our week was.

The best things in life are free!

Nice & cheap lunch in Marrickville

I've been working in Marrickville for almost a year and, to be honest, it hasn't always been easy to find good & healthy (ish) lunch at a nice place around the area (Illawarra Rd & Marrickville Rd).  Yes, there are a few restaurants and cafés but I was always looking for a cheapish & healthy option. There is a new sushi place in front of the post office and they offer lunch menu at an affordable price.
 

For only $10.40 I had miso soup, sushi, chicken & rice, salad, fruit and jasmine tea! The service is nice, food is quickly served and is yummy Japanese fresh food. Not too bad, right?

The best Laksa in Canberra!

Last time I visited Canberra I had the best Malaysian Laksa! We were looking for a place to have lunch on a Sunday arvo, after 3pm, and at that time it's almost impossible to find a decent restaurant open.  You'll see just a few cafés offering sandwiches and cakes, but we really needed a proper big lunch.
 

We decided to stop in Dickson and see where was the new and famous Brazilian restaurant that everybody was talking about because 140 people got food poisoning after eating a potato & mayonnaise salad this place served on mother's day as a special buffet menu. It was still open to the public but not a single person there.
 

It was surprisingly great to find out that The Dickson Noodle House was open! I love eating a good combination Laksa but this one is definitely the best I have eaten and a lot of people agree with me on this, reason why their restaurants are usually packed at lunch and dinner time, prices are good and you get your food served pretty fast. There are 2 more Noodle House in ACT, on Nortbourne Avenue and in Woden, in front of the Woden Tradies Club.
 

I give this combination Laksa at the Noodle House in Dickson 10 out of 10!

Bulk billing GP in Marrickville

I just went for the second time to the doctor as I needed to know if I have a problem related to the thyroid (I did a blood test at the beginning of this week), and to be very honest I felt again like the doctor doesn't really care if you are healthy or not. By saying this I'm not trying to say that he has to cry or get happy and hug me because I'm fine but I do believe that GPs should be more human, or at least give you better feedback about your health in general and how to improve your quality of life.
 

I hate having to compare GPs in Australia to doctors in other places but I think that patients would appreciate so much knowing or feeling that their doctors do care about them, or at least that they remember your face from last week's appointment.

I like Dr Patch Adams' way of practicing medicine and wish we had more doctors like him.