At the movies: Robocop

Some movies are icons of a generation, and probably Robocop is one of them for mine. I just wasn't as interested on paying for watching the new version of it.

Well,  I must say that it was way better than expected, especially not being the type of moving I would usually like. Nice effects,  good cast,  interesting point of view about why it was important that Robocop kept having emotions to judge if shooting someone or not, and about the importance of an united family.

The dream of a safer world is always there in our minds,  but robots being an option for fighting crime is a scary possibility for me.

Chips on a stick!

Recently we went to visit friends in Canberra as the National Multicultural Festival was on. What a great feast!

Food, drinks, music, live shows, a lot of people (which is something rare in Canberrs), traditional products and information about different places around the world. But what really got my attention was a food stand selling something called "Chips on a stick". A curlie cutted potato on a stick. There were two stands of this type and both of them had most of the time a long line of people buying. I was impressed to continuously see kids and adults eating these chips.

And of course,  I needed to try it as well as everybody else. Not healthy at all but delicious!  You could choose the flavors you wanted on them. I had the pepper & lemon one, and it was really nice.

Simple food but served in a creative way... You don't need to create new things to be successful,  a good idea to improve something that already exists is enough to win!  :)

Healthy-ish homemade lunch

I just want to share this great idea for eating a great meal without feeling too guilty.

I love a nice pasta and the Bolognese sause with meance meat it is definitely my favorite.  The problem is that I was trying not to have any pasta, bread, rice and potatoes during the week. What to do?

Simple: swapping pasta for cabbage!  Of course it's not the same taste but it does the job and a bit healthier.  Don't forget to use a lot of parmesan cheese. Hope you love it too!

Exploring Alexandria, NSW. Part 2

As I mentioned in my last post, one of my 2014 resolutions is discovering a bit more of Sydney, and Alexandria was the first stop.  It is an area full of places to eat and shop.

I am delighted to have discovered Salt Meats Cheese, a gourmet market that has available a vast variety of fresh delicious goodness from around the world.  Prosciutto ham, Serrano ham, fresh pastas, oils, olives, sweets, sauces, and more awesome food. The prices are right for what you're getting.

I totally recommend to try a bit of all the samples they have available for people to try... it's all good. You can also buy sandwiches there, and the prosciutto + cheese one is a winner.

I bought a bit of everything, including a Cheese Making Kit (I'll let you know how is the home-made cheese I am planning to make); and the 4 cheese raviolis, the Peperonata Sauce and the Parmesano Regiano cheese. That was our dinner that night: easy to make, fresh and delicious.

I'll definitely keep exploring more of Alexandria and come back to this great deli... totally worth it!

Exploring Alexandria, NSW. Part 1

I decided that this year that my desire to change and enjoy the life that I really want is stronger than my old habits.  2014 will ne a year to explore new areas in Sydney and everywhere I go, stop complaining about how boring things could be, and appreciate more all things around me.

 

Last Saturday, first one of the year, I went to Alexandria.  I was surprised by all the places I found in that area.  But this time I'm going to tell you about the place I had lunch at: Vicinity Dinning, on 90-96 Bourke Rd (Cnr Collins St).

 

This nice dinning offers different spaces to suit whatever the reason is you are visiting this place: bar, outdoor terrace, chic restaurant.  I had a delicious fresh orange & watermelon juice, and our choices for main meals were "Pappardelle with heirloom tomatoes, basil pesto, capers and parmesan cheese", and "Twice cooked pork belly with caramelized green beans, fennel seeds and chimichurr".  It was all yummy and nicelly served.

 

Good service but my only complain was that they were a bit slow to take our order and to bring the dishes.  Except for that little details I loved the place and the decoration.  I'll definetely going back there, next time maybe not feeling too hungry.  =)

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!