April 2013

NSW Food & Wine Festival - The Tea Room QVB

Posted on Tuesday, April 30, 2013

30 April

As part of the NSW Food & Wine Festival, I had the immense pleasure of heading to the Tea Room at the QVB to enjoy an amazing lunch.

Pan-friend Mulloway on black risotto (with crab) plus pumpkin, capers, horse radish I DON'T EVEN KNOW. This was just melt in your mouth amazing

Passionfruit creme brulee - just, wow.

Tea was served so fancy! just look how pretty it is!

I've never been to a high tea, so I would be interested in doing so (after this damn 30 day shredding plan!!!)

Ella xx

Seasalt Cafe, Clovelly Beach

Posted on Friday, April 26, 2013

26 April

A while ago I went for a morning swim with Dad and we decided to have breakfast at the cafe at Clovelly Beach. It's a very unsuspecting little place but I can assure you, I had one of the best breakfasts I've ever had (true!)

Seriously, who thought of this? Corn fritters and sandwiched in between was bacon, roasted tomato, spicy tomato relish and it was finsished off with some guac. Absolutely incredible.

We couldn't resist that little bad boy in the corner though. Yoghurt with rhubarb and cranberry with crunch on top. What a way to start a Sunday!

Ella xx

Shred Shred Shred!

Posted on Saturday, April 20, 2013

20 April

So, I have decided to try out the Bondi Vixen 30 Day Core Challenge and more importantly, a 30 day "shredding" diet plan. This is a low carb, protein enriched diet where you eat every 3 hours, mainly sticking to eggs, protein such as chicken, fish and other meat and veges. Furthermore, you are not allowed to drink alcohol which isn't much of a problem for me because the only things I like drinking are a bit too out of my price range (good wine, good cocktails and good spiced rum).

This diet plan began on the 15th of April and so far it's been pretty good! I am NOT doing this for weight-loss reasons. I am doing this because to be honest, I want to try something new and my mum is out of town for a while. My mother is the best cook I know. And because she's so amazing, it means I eat A LOT. With this diet plan, I get to make my own food and choose my portions (instead of having mum making cakes 24/7 and me eating them because they're amazing. An example;

I mean HOW is a girl supposed to resist that!!! So mum is out of town so I can cook what I want and not be tempted by amazing apple cake and the like.

First of all, let me tell you what I ate as my last carbo loaded, alcohol included meal.

That's right. I could have gone with a huge bowl of pasta, or a pizza but nope. Went for good ol sushi and Rekorderlig - the best cider out on the shelves at the moment. The sad thing is, I can eat half of this on the diet so... I guess I started early!

What's the daily food routine you ask?
In the mornings I have scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, spinach and tomatoes (if I'm feeling naughty). After 3 hours I usually have Lo Carb Bites from Bsc which I like because I feel like they're a bit of a treat (they are swiss chocolate flavoured). Then for lunch it's usually a medium can of tuna or grilled chicken with salad. Afternoon tea is usually a can of fish and then dinner is protein (so far I've had chilli fish, teriyaki chicken, sashimi) accompanied by salad or (more recently) ratatouille.

I call it 'lazy girls ratatouille'. I just chopped up eggplant, zucchini, capsicum, onion and garlic and stuck it in the pan and cooked it, then put a tomato sauce (I used Leggos).

My favourite.

I know there aren't many pictures and I really do want to show you my chilli fish so next time!

Ella xx

Amazing Restaurants: Mamasan

Posted on Thursday, April 11, 2013

11 April 2013

Mamasan is an amazing asian tapas restaurant along Glenayar Avenue in Bondi, opposite the Beach Road Hotel.

I had never been in before but was interested in trying it and I'm glad I did. Mamasan has a very asian hipster vibe about it, and it works. A lot of the decor is quite antique or asian and the combination creates a very sleek atmosphere.

Sashimi platter

the soft shell crab is to die for

squid

egg custard buns

Ella xx

A Friendly Feast

Posted on Monday, April 8, 2013

8 April 2013

Recently, I invited some friends over for a nice dinner with homecooked food.
This is the result of an amazing night of food, drink and company.

beautifully roasted veges from emily

My curry chickpeas

Mix curry chickpeas with sweet corn and onion

delicious chicken

Salads, Nachos, Chickpea Salad, Chicken, Roasted Veges

and a secret raspberry and lime vodka recipe

Dessert was peaches and ice cream

Such a perfect night with perfect company!

Ella xx

Around The World: Thailand 2013

Posted on Sunday, April 7, 2013

7 April 2013

So, this is my photo diary from Thailand.

I didn't take my phone many places but there are still some food photos on there.

Dtha-lort-bpai - forever.

henna tattoos.

Ella xx

The Bondi Cafes: Billy's Wet Bar Cafe

7 April 2013

I honestly did not expect university to be so crazy. I do apologise for the lack of posts but hopefully I can slowly make it up to you.

The focus this time is on a little dark horse, slowly making its way through the pack in Bondi. Billy's Wet Bar Cafe. My friends and I discovered them once when Speedos was too packed one summers day at Bondi Beach, and we wanted hot chips.

Then, we went up to this small cafe right next to Speedos and near the surf school and had the most AMAZING chips - cooked to perfection. In fact, they were so good, we had three servings shared between the ten of us, we just kept going back.

After talking with the owner, I decided to go have lunch with some friends.