We are slowly working our way through HBO shows, and Carnivale was next on the list... The first episode had me intrigued, lots of characters and the Twin Peaks weirdness that keeps you guessing... As the episodes go on there are some truly disturbing ideas, and they inspire the next viewing, but it is slow... So slow in fact that at the end of the last episode in the season I felt that it was the first real thing that had happened... We will try for season two, because of the enchantment, it just doesn't suck you in like other HBO favourites...Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Carnivale Season 1 - TV
We are slowly working our way through HBO shows, and Carnivale was next on the list... The first episode had me intrigued, lots of characters and the Twin Peaks weirdness that keeps you guessing... As the episodes go on there are some truly disturbing ideas, and they inspire the next viewing, but it is slow... So slow in fact that at the end of the last episode in the season I felt that it was the first real thing that had happened... We will try for season two, because of the enchantment, it just doesn't suck you in like other HBO favourites...
The Other Boleyn Girl - Film
I am a fan of Philippa Gregory as well as having an avid interest in the Tudors, so as you could probably imagine I was very excited about this film... Unfortunately when we were going to see it we decided that £14 at Leicester Square was a bit much on limited time... Now that the DVD release has happened Cricket and I made a time to watch it (she introduced me to the book in 04)...
I have very little that's positive to say about this film... The casting wasn't great, the story was chopped up beyond what could be perceived as a full picture of the story, at one point about 4 years passed in a ten minute period (without letting the audience know that was the case) and some key elements in relationships and character development were missed... Am glad that I didn't pay to see it in London, its not worth the money, or the time...
Monday, September 29, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Gossip Girl Season 2 so far...
Am loving this season of Gossip Girl, some greatness happening... Don't think Blake Lively can pull off this Queen Serena arc, but we will see... Chuck Bass(Ed Westwick) is killing it... If you don't watch, you should...
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Nike Dunk Hi x DQM - Dave’s Quality Meat - Tier 0
Nike Dunk Hi x DQM - Dave’s Quality Meat - Tier 0
Pics have been circulating for a while now, but these are set for release on Saturday... DQM have designed 3 pairs of dunk hi's in a single color of perforated nubuck, they look so soft!
Pics have been circulating for a while now, but these are set for release on Saturday... DQM have designed 3 pairs of dunk hi's in a single color of perforated nubuck, they look so soft!
Nike - Air Max 90 Premium - ACG Shagmeister Pack QS
Nike - Air Max 90 Premium - ACG Shagmeister Pack QS
Check the Shagmeister pack of wildly coloured 90's said to be inspired by Austin Powers... Currently the 90 is the most popular sneaker in Nikes portfolio, and they are predicting that they are set to become even more popular...
Available now at retailers with a quickstrike account...
Kanye West's Alligator Boots for Comedy Central
Kanye West's Alligator Boots for Comedy Central
Kanye West, Rhymefest and Jackhole Prods. Daniel Kellison are working on a project for Comedy Central. Its pitched as hip hop meets the muppets, check the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHbKo2EoTUA
Kanye West, Rhymefest and Jackhole Prods. Daniel Kellison are working on a project for Comedy Central. Its pitched as hip hop meets the muppets, check the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHbKo2EoTUA
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Royal Melbourne Show 18 - 28 September 2008 - Melbourne
Royal Melbourne Show 18 - 28 September 2008
I try to get to the show every year that I am in Melbourne... Its always good to checkout the farm animals, side shows, show bags, local produce, dog show etc... This year I went twice, and had two totally different experiences, both great days! I would highly recommend not going on a weekend, place is packed!
Pig diving and racing, hilarious...
Rides, though none for me...
Monster dogs!
Farm animals
Crazy poodles for the dog show...
Knitting Factory NYC closing down...
Knitting Factory
74 LEONARD STREET
NEW YORK
NY 10013
212-219-3132
http://ny.knittingfactory.com/index.php
With the inevitable close of Knitting Factory in Manhattan at the end of the year, it is going to reopen in Williamsburg in March next year, reducing 3 stages to one and losing a third of its staff... The rent decrease will ensure that it stays open able to give us a mixture of new and upcoming talent as well as the most renowned artists...
If you haven't had a chance to get to the Leonard St venue, now is the time with an ongoing stellar line up taking you through the next few months...
74 LEONARD STREET
NEW YORK
NY 10013
212-219-3132
http://ny.knittingfactory.com/index.php
With the inevitable close of Knitting Factory in Manhattan at the end of the year, it is going to reopen in Williamsburg in March next year, reducing 3 stages to one and losing a third of its staff... The rent decrease will ensure that it stays open able to give us a mixture of new and upcoming talent as well as the most renowned artists...
If you haven't had a chance to get to the Leonard St venue, now is the time with an ongoing stellar line up taking you through the next few months...
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Our Backyard - Arts Centre - Hamer Hall - Melbourne - Sunday September 21 2008
Our Backyard - Arts Centre - Hamer Hall - Melbourne
'Our Backyard is a non-stop all ages FREE hip hop event with funky fresh dancers, emcees and DJ's. Get ready for an afternoon of thumping beats, raw rhymes, breakin', krumping and emcee freestyle battles from some of Melbourne's own! The line up includes Muph&Plutonic, Wickid Force Breakers, Breakin' Battles featuring funk band Cookin' on 3 Burners, Push Underground featuring the latest up and coming Melbourne live Hip Hop acts, Hip Hop dance crews, poppers and lockers, Emcee battle DJ's and much more! Arrive from 11am and sink your tastebuds into something delicious from the Umalicious Mobile Cafe serving Organic Treats, Delicious Liquids and Wicked beats, check out the Sneaker Swap and display from Sneaker Freaker and witness the Emcees and Breakin' pre battles.
Sunday, September 21
Doors Open 11am
Main Stage begins: 1pm
'Our Backyard is a non-stop all ages FREE hip hop event with funky fresh dancers, emcees and DJ's. Get ready for an afternoon of thumping beats, raw rhymes, breakin', krumping and emcee freestyle battles from some of Melbourne's own! The line up includes Muph&Plutonic, Wickid Force Breakers, Breakin' Battles featuring funk band Cookin' on 3 Burners, Push Underground featuring the latest up and coming Melbourne live Hip Hop acts, Hip Hop dance crews, poppers and lockers, Emcee battle DJ's and much more! Arrive from 11am and sink your tastebuds into something delicious from the Umalicious Mobile Cafe serving Organic Treats, Delicious Liquids and Wicked beats, check out the Sneaker Swap and display from Sneaker Freaker and witness the Emcees and Breakin' pre battles.Sunday, September 21
Doors Open 11am
Main Stage begins: 1pm
Much respect to anyone putting on a free event of this size... Entering Hamer Hall and going down to the sneaker stall area was probably the best thing about the day, that said we only stayed a couple hours... A good range of stalls and product, though not much for women, no surprises there... The acts were lukewarm at best, though we didn't see the headliners, muph and plutonic & wikid force breakers, the acts we did see were the community type of acts which were more cringeworthy then enjoyable... But at least they had the confidence to get up there and do their thing...
Monday, September 22, 2008
Sketches Cafe Bar - Burwood
Sketches Cafe Bar - Burwood
273 Burwood Hwy
Burwood
9889 8925
www.sketchescafebar.com.au
Saturday morning watching my goddaughters calisthenics at Mount Scopus we were starving... Had to walk a while in the rain to find this spot as nothing was open! Ordered eggs benedict, it was lovely... Great eggs and sauce... Service was fast... Perfect quickie brunch in between acts...
273 Burwood Hwy
Burwood
9889 8925
www.sketchescafebar.com.au
Saturday morning watching my goddaughters calisthenics at Mount Scopus we were starving... Had to walk a while in the rain to find this spot as nothing was open! Ordered eggs benedict, it was lovely... Great eggs and sauce... Service was fast... Perfect quickie brunch in between acts...
Sunday, September 21, 2008
The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
http://www.khaledhosseini.com/
From the website:
Taking us from Afghanistan in the final days of the monarchy to the present, The Kite Runner is the unforgettable, beautifully told story of the friendship between two boys growing up in Kabul. Raised in the same household and sharing the same wet nurse, Amir and Hassan nonetheless grow up in different worlds: Amir is the son of a prominent and wealthy man, while Hassan, the son of Amir's father's servant, is a Hazara, member of a shunned ethnic minority. Their intertwined lives, and their fates, reflect the eventual tragedy of the world around them. When the Soviets invade and Amir and his father flee the country for a new life in California, Amir thinks that he has escaped his past. And yet he cannot leave the memory of Hassan behind him.
The Kite Runner is a novel about friendship, betrayal, and the price of loyalty. It is about the bonds between fathers and sons, and the power of their lies. Written against a history that has not been told in fiction before, The Kite Runner describes the rich culture and beauty of a land in the process of being destroyed. But with the devastation, Khaled Hosseini also gives us hope: through the novel's faith in the power of reading and storytelling, and in the possibilities he shows for redemption.
When I started this book I was expecting to be immediately sucked in… It didn’t quite happen that way, but somehow within 24 hours I had finished this story… This book was sitting on my book shelf for many many months before I decided to take it away with me... I wanted to read this before seeing the film, and was especially interested in the account of the situation in Afghanistan... The characters were depressingly real at times, my heart broke as the story took shape… Luckily it is a story of redemption which is what kept me reading… I thoroughly enjoyed this story and it swirled around my head on the flight home, which is what makes a great story to me...
http://www.khaledhosseini.com/
From the website:
Taking us from Afghanistan in the final days of the monarchy to the present, The Kite Runner is the unforgettable, beautifully told story of the friendship between two boys growing up in Kabul. Raised in the same household and sharing the same wet nurse, Amir and Hassan nonetheless grow up in different worlds: Amir is the son of a prominent and wealthy man, while Hassan, the son of Amir's father's servant, is a Hazara, member of a shunned ethnic minority. Their intertwined lives, and their fates, reflect the eventual tragedy of the world around them. When the Soviets invade and Amir and his father flee the country for a new life in California, Amir thinks that he has escaped his past. And yet he cannot leave the memory of Hassan behind him.
The Kite Runner is a novel about friendship, betrayal, and the price of loyalty. It is about the bonds between fathers and sons, and the power of their lies. Written against a history that has not been told in fiction before, The Kite Runner describes the rich culture and beauty of a land in the process of being destroyed. But with the devastation, Khaled Hosseini also gives us hope: through the novel's faith in the power of reading and storytelling, and in the possibilities he shows for redemption.
When I started this book I was expecting to be immediately sucked in… It didn’t quite happen that way, but somehow within 24 hours I had finished this story… This book was sitting on my book shelf for many many months before I decided to take it away with me... I wanted to read this before seeing the film, and was especially interested in the account of the situation in Afghanistan... The characters were depressingly real at times, my heart broke as the story took shape… Luckily it is a story of redemption which is what kept me reading… I thoroughly enjoyed this story and it swirled around my head on the flight home, which is what makes a great story to me...
Chocolate Buddha - Federation Square - Melbourne
Chocolate Buddha - Federation Square - Melbourne
Cnr Swanston and Flinders St
Melbourne
9654 5688
www.chocolatebuddha.com.au/
Another Good Food Guide 2009 recommendation... Friends have raved about this spot, but unfortunately I would have to say don't believe the hype... The service here was completely incompetent... It may have been that the area we sat in they had opened specifically because the weather was divine and so had no idea how to work it out, but the drama of retrieving my credit card as insurance and paying (tried to charge us twice), it was all a bit much really and definitely tarnished the positive feelings I had towards the menu and food itself...
One of the main reasons I wanted to take my husband here was because of their extensive vegetarian menu, they came through on that... Considering it was lunch time we thought we would grab 3 light dishes to share, they were indeed light, probably could have done with another one... The Sunomono Salad had some of the yummiest seaweed that I have tasted, but the rest of the salad felt a bit uninspired... The Shojin-Age (tempura vegetables) was lovely, the batter was light and not too oily and the vegetables were tasty... The Green Gyoza I found to be as good as non meat gets, but Mark wasn't a fan...
Lovely venue, lovely food but the service really let this place down...
Sunomono Salad: blanched & shredded Japanese seaweed & vegetable salad with a delicious sweet vinegar Japanese dressing - low in calories high in vitamins, minerals, fibre & calcium
Cnr Swanston and Flinders St
Melbourne
9654 5688
www.chocolatebuddha.com.au/
Another Good Food Guide 2009 recommendation... Friends have raved about this spot, but unfortunately I would have to say don't believe the hype... The service here was completely incompetent... It may have been that the area we sat in they had opened specifically because the weather was divine and so had no idea how to work it out, but the drama of retrieving my credit card as insurance and paying (tried to charge us twice), it was all a bit much really and definitely tarnished the positive feelings I had towards the menu and food itself...
One of the main reasons I wanted to take my husband here was because of their extensive vegetarian menu, they came through on that... Considering it was lunch time we thought we would grab 3 light dishes to share, they were indeed light, probably could have done with another one... The Sunomono Salad had some of the yummiest seaweed that I have tasted, but the rest of the salad felt a bit uninspired... The Shojin-Age (tempura vegetables) was lovely, the batter was light and not too oily and the vegetables were tasty... The Green Gyoza I found to be as good as non meat gets, but Mark wasn't a fan...
Lovely venue, lovely food but the service really let this place down...
Sunomono Salad: blanched & shredded Japanese seaweed & vegetable salad with a delicious sweet vinegar Japanese dressing - low in calories high in vitamins, minerals, fibre & calcium
Shojin-Age
Vegetable tempura w fresh grated ginger, daikon & dashi dipping sauce
Green Gyoza 6 vegetarian (soy protein) dumplings: steamed then pan seared until tender
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Jodi Picoult - Keeping Faith
Jodi Picoult - Keeping Faith
It feels like I have been recommended books by Jodi Picoult forever… I finally picked up one of her old ones through Annettes bookclub many months ago, and only got around to reading it on holiday…
Synopsis from jodipicoult.com
Somewhere between belief and doubt lies faith. For the second time in her marriage, Mariah White catches her husband with another woman and Faith, their seven year old daughter, witnesses every painful minute. In the aftermath of a sudden divorce, Mariah struggles with depression and Faith seeks solace in a new friend… a friend who may or may not be imaginary.
Faith talks to her "Guard"constantly; begins to recite passages from the Bible— a book she's never read. Fearful for her daughter's sanity, Mariah sends her to several psychiatrists. Yet when Faith develops stigmata and begins to perform miraculous healings, Mariah wonders if her daughter-- a girl with no religious background-- might indeed be seeing God. As word spreads and controversy heightens, Mariah and Faith are besieged by believers and disbelievers alike, caught in a media circus that threatens what little stability they have left.
What are you willing to believe? Is Faith a prophet or a troubled little girl? Is Mariah a good mother facing an impossible crisis— or a charlatan using her daughter to reclaim the attention her unfaithful husband withheld? As the story builds to a climactic battle for custody, Mariah must discover that spirit is not necessarily something that comes from religion, but from inside oneself.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from the book, but what I got was a story that I found hard to put down… Well written, thought and emotion provoking, a good story that left me thinking about it for days afterward, unable to pick up my next book… Sparking ideas about God, the church, media attention, relationships between parents and their children, parents and their partners… Quite intense aftermath really… A great read… I will definitely be reading more of Jodi's books...
It feels like I have been recommended books by Jodi Picoult forever… I finally picked up one of her old ones through Annettes bookclub many months ago, and only got around to reading it on holiday…
Synopsis from jodipicoult.com
Somewhere between belief and doubt lies faith. For the second time in her marriage, Mariah White catches her husband with another woman and Faith, their seven year old daughter, witnesses every painful minute. In the aftermath of a sudden divorce, Mariah struggles with depression and Faith seeks solace in a new friend… a friend who may or may not be imaginary.
Faith talks to her "Guard"constantly; begins to recite passages from the Bible— a book she's never read. Fearful for her daughter's sanity, Mariah sends her to several psychiatrists. Yet when Faith develops stigmata and begins to perform miraculous healings, Mariah wonders if her daughter-- a girl with no religious background-- might indeed be seeing God. As word spreads and controversy heightens, Mariah and Faith are besieged by believers and disbelievers alike, caught in a media circus that threatens what little stability they have left.
What are you willing to believe? Is Faith a prophet or a troubled little girl? Is Mariah a good mother facing an impossible crisis— or a charlatan using her daughter to reclaim the attention her unfaithful husband withheld? As the story builds to a climactic battle for custody, Mariah must discover that spirit is not necessarily something that comes from religion, but from inside oneself.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from the book, but what I got was a story that I found hard to put down… Well written, thought and emotion provoking, a good story that left me thinking about it for days afterward, unable to pick up my next book… Sparking ideas about God, the church, media attention, relationships between parents and their children, parents and their partners… Quite intense aftermath really… A great read… I will definitely be reading more of Jodi's books...
Bra Boys DVD Release
Bra Boys DVD Release
I had a little fear about seeing this film, not quite sure where it stems from, but at the same time I was really intrigued…
From imdb.com
'The first officially sanctioned documentary about Maroubra's notorious surf-gang, the Bra Boys. Showing their success in professional big wave surfing, exploring their reputation for hard partying and rough justice, touching on their running battle with authorities and showing their reliance on one another to fit into and survive in a society in which they are displaced. The film also focuses on the evolution of the Sydney beach side suburb of Maroubra and the historical stigma associated with Australia's rebellious surf community, and the way it has contributed to their social displacement.' Written by The-Gent
I found the film quite touching, not aware previously of the socio economic backgrounds that drive this beach culture, and almost proud of the way that the community rallies together to bring kids out of the dark and into the surf… I think that there is a lot to be gained from seeing this, if not just for a basic awareness of beach culture, but you will probably find something more...
I had a little fear about seeing this film, not quite sure where it stems from, but at the same time I was really intrigued…
From imdb.com
'The first officially sanctioned documentary about Maroubra's notorious surf-gang, the Bra Boys. Showing their success in professional big wave surfing, exploring their reputation for hard partying and rough justice, touching on their running battle with authorities and showing their reliance on one another to fit into and survive in a society in which they are displaced. The film also focuses on the evolution of the Sydney beach side suburb of Maroubra and the historical stigma associated with Australia's rebellious surf community, and the way it has contributed to their social displacement.' Written by The-Gent
I found the film quite touching, not aware previously of the socio economic backgrounds that drive this beach culture, and almost proud of the way that the community rallies together to bring kids out of the dark and into the surf… I think that there is a lot to be gained from seeing this, if not just for a basic awareness of beach culture, but you will probably find something more...
Thursday, September 18, 2008
A short break in Surfers
Well on return from our break in Surfers I feel completely refreshed... Doing nothin but chillin every day, letting go of work stresses, getting a tan, enjoying Tracey but missing Mark... We did have plans, before we booked I wasn't pregnant so the theme parks were hot on our list, but that all changed with this baby growing... Then we renegotiated plans, trips to markets and maybe Byron, but ultimately the lovely pool area and light shopping that our resort provided was all we needed...
The males in Surfers need to be neutered, always going previously with my husband I wasn't aware that the men up there are on heat, especially when we couldn't leave our apartment without being harassed... Obvious and cheesy lines that I doubt get these geezers any play, ever...
The food was hit and miss... Usually the food is mostly hit, but this year it just wasn't as good as other years... It was quite unfortunate...
Overall the trip was greatness, mostly due to the warm weather, and great environment... The last girls trip before the baby comes...
Hard Rock Cafe, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
Hard Rock Cafe
Surfers Paradise
Cnr. Cavill Ave. & Surfers Paradise Blvd
Surfers Paradise,
Queensland 4217
Hours:
Restaurant:
Sun - Thurs 11:30AM - 10:00PM
Fri & Sat 11:30AM - 11:00PM
Merchandise:
Sun - Thurs 10:00AM - 10:00PM
Fri & Sat 10:00AM - 11:00PM
Telephone: 617-5539-9377
Due to the lack of satisfaction from the margarita at Rish, we dropped into Hard Rock Café for a mojito… The staff were pleasant and (for the most part) quite hot! Unfortunately the mojito wasn’t up to standard either, lacking lime, with too much sugar syrup and not enough mint… A fairly enjoyable spot to chill though, with street views, pool table and smoking and most importantly non smoking sections to their outdoor area...
Surfers Paradise
Cnr. Cavill Ave. & Surfers Paradise Blvd
Surfers Paradise,
Queensland 4217
Hours:
Restaurant:
Sun - Thurs 11:30AM - 10:00PM
Fri & Sat 11:30AM - 11:00PM
Merchandise:
Sun - Thurs 10:00AM - 10:00PM
Fri & Sat 10:00AM - 11:00PM
Telephone: 617-5539-9377
Due to the lack of satisfaction from the margarita at Rish, we dropped into Hard Rock Café for a mojito… The staff were pleasant and (for the most part) quite hot! Unfortunately the mojito wasn’t up to standard either, lacking lime, with too much sugar syrup and not enough mint… A fairly enjoyable spot to chill though, with street views, pool table and smoking and most importantly non smoking sections to their outdoor area...
Rish, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
Rish
Cavill Mall
Shop 303-304 Centro
Surfers Paradise
QLD 4217
Phone (07) 5538 3990
We stopped back in here because Tracey wanted a cocktail… She ordered a margarita, I ordered a mocktail (haha) tim tam frappe… She opted for the frozen margarita which wasn’t very good, but my tim tam frappe was awesome!
Cavill Mall
Shop 303-304 Centro
Surfers Paradise
QLD 4217
Phone (07) 5538 3990
We stopped back in here because Tracey wanted a cocktail… She ordered a margarita, I ordered a mocktail (haha) tim tam frappe… She opted for the frozen margarita which wasn’t very good, but my tim tam frappe was awesome!
Surfers Paradise Surf Lifesaving Club, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
Surf Club
Esplanade
Surfers Paradise
QLD
07 5553 1900
We always hit this spot for lunch, and usually they have some great specials, this year they had an under $10 specials menu, which included loads of options, but no chicken parma, which is what we had come for! Fortunately it was on their usual menu, so for $16.95 we got a massive parma, salad and chips… Salad and chips were both mediocre, but the parma was amazing… I was so hungry by the time it arrived I forgot to take a pic and dove into the salad, so here is the half eaten photo… you will notice that the parma resembled a pizza, but was so much better! Crispy chicken goodness, yummy sauce cheese and not too much pizza ham… Divine!
Esplanade
Surfers Paradise
QLD
07 5553 1900
We always hit this spot for lunch, and usually they have some great specials, this year they had an under $10 specials menu, which included loads of options, but no chicken parma, which is what we had come for! Fortunately it was on their usual menu, so for $16.95 we got a massive parma, salad and chips… Salad and chips were both mediocre, but the parma was amazing… I was so hungry by the time it arrived I forgot to take a pic and dove into the salad, so here is the half eaten photo… you will notice that the parma resembled a pizza, but was so much better! Crispy chicken goodness, yummy sauce cheese and not too much pizza ham… Divine!
Legends Chinese Seafood Restaurant, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
Legends Chinese Seafood Restaurant
Chinese
3041 Gold Coast Highway
Surfers Paradise, 4217
Phone: 07 5538 4567
We had decided after watching this place fill up night after night that it was well worth visiting, and due to marks lack of care for Chinese food, I was stoked to have some… We ordered the banquet, $28 pp great value for a massive amount of extremely delicious food! We pretty much ate it all and neither of us felt ill afterwards, so that proves the yumminess and probably lack of oil etc too… Only downside was service, the main waitress we dealt with was lucky to give any contact we gave her any response, we rarely got eye contact and Tracey was certain that at one request she may have grunted at us… Will definitely be back though!
Chicken sweet corn
Mixed entrée
Beef and blackbean sauce
Mixed veg
Garlic prawns
Special fried rice
Ice cream and fruit
Chinese
3041 Gold Coast Highway
Surfers Paradise, 4217
Phone: 07 5538 4567
We had decided after watching this place fill up night after night that it was well worth visiting, and due to marks lack of care for Chinese food, I was stoked to have some… We ordered the banquet, $28 pp great value for a massive amount of extremely delicious food! We pretty much ate it all and neither of us felt ill afterwards, so that proves the yumminess and probably lack of oil etc too… Only downside was service, the main waitress we dealt with was lucky to give any contact we gave her any response, we rarely got eye contact and Tracey was certain that at one request she may have grunted at us… Will definitely be back though!
Chicken sweet corn
Mixed entrée
Beef and blackbean sauce
Mixed veg
Garlic prawns
Special fried rice
Ice cream and fruit
Rish, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
Rish
Cavill Mall
Shop 303-304 Centro
Surfers Paradise
QLD 4217
Phone (07) 5538 3990
Rish
Every year we go here several times, every year we have loved the food here… This year it was different… I ordered the salmon, Tracey ordered the Asian stir fry, both of the specials menu… The salmon itself tasted bland, not like actual salmon, it came with garlic mash which was lovely, wilted spinach, which was average, and a lime cream sauce which was feral, so tangy and sweet and creamy, not complimentary to its own flavours let alone the salmon and potato… Tracey found her stir fry to be too sweet, trying for more soy sauce to kill it, but to no avail… We basically ate and got outta there… The staff asked how our meal was and we both explained that neither were good with the reasons… Wont be back there this time, probably will try again next time because they do have a few vegetarian options which please Mark, but I wouldn't recommend it…
Cavill Mall
Shop 303-304 Centro
Surfers Paradise
QLD 4217
Phone (07) 5538 3990
Rish
Every year we go here several times, every year we have loved the food here… This year it was different… I ordered the salmon, Tracey ordered the Asian stir fry, both of the specials menu… The salmon itself tasted bland, not like actual salmon, it came with garlic mash which was lovely, wilted spinach, which was average, and a lime cream sauce which was feral, so tangy and sweet and creamy, not complimentary to its own flavours let alone the salmon and potato… Tracey found her stir fry to be too sweet, trying for more soy sauce to kill it, but to no avail… We basically ate and got outta there… The staff asked how our meal was and we both explained that neither were good with the reasons… Wont be back there this time, probably will try again next time because they do have a few vegetarian options which please Mark, but I wouldn't recommend it…
Q1 Beach Club, Q1 Resort and Spa, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
Q1 Beach Club
http://www.q1.com.au/home.html
As the day by the pool dragged on we got very hungry, and the cafe was the only real option… The menu was overpriced but we both settled on the club sandwich for $18… When it came it was large, really large, with chips too… worth the money, was stuffed up until dinner time! Amazing!
http://www.q1.com.au/home.html
As the day by the pool dragged on we got very hungry, and the cafe was the only real option… The menu was overpriced but we both settled on the club sandwich for $18… When it came it was large, really large, with chips too… worth the money, was stuffed up until dinner time! Amazing!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Night market, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
Night market
www.surfersparadise.com/shopping_dining_nightlife/beachfront_markets_paradise/
www.cupcakeandco.com.au
The ever going night market was a lovely way to spend the evening, all the same sorts of stalls as every other year, good to look at nothing to buy… Until we stumbled across the cupcake stall, where the cupcakes that we took home to eat were lovely! I had the cookies and cream, Tracey had the strawberries and cream… Tracey had her palm read by Rosco, said it was a good reading…
www.surfersparadise.com/shopping_dining_nightlife/beachfront_markets_paradise/
www.cupcakeandco.com.au
The ever going night market was a lovely way to spend the evening, all the same sorts of stalls as every other year, good to look at nothing to buy… Until we stumbled across the cupcake stall, where the cupcakes that we took home to eat were lovely! I had the cookies and cream, Tracey had the strawberries and cream… Tracey had her palm read by Rosco, said it was a good reading…
Toscanis, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, QLD Australia
Toscanis
http://www.toscanis.com.au/gold-coast/
Centro Surfers Paradise
Ph: (07) 5504 6060
Cavill Avenue
Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Opening Hours: 7:30am until late, 7-days
The service here was slow to start, thinking about leaving as menus and general acknowledgement was non existent, but once the waitress got the ball rolling it was all good… The food was good and fast, my lamb was divine, and the vegetables undercooked, good for nutrients though unexpected… The risotto was good but a little dry, Tracey gave it an 8 out of 10, which is good going for a slightly dry, but flavoursome risotto.
http://www.toscanis.com.au/gold-coast/
Centro Surfers Paradise
Ph: (07) 5504 6060
Cavill Avenue
Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Opening Hours: 7:30am until late, 7-days
The service here was slow to start, thinking about leaving as menus and general acknowledgement was non existent, but once the waitress got the ball rolling it was all good… The food was good and fast, my lamb was divine, and the vegetables undercooked, good for nutrients though unexpected… The risotto was good but a little dry, Tracey gave it an 8 out of 10, which is good going for a slightly dry, but flavoursome risotto.
The seafood place, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
The seafood place
2995 Gold Coast Hwy
Surfers Paradise
(07) 55921148
Our first nights meal was not one worthy of reporting on comparatively, but when you are knackered from a day of travel its always nice to fall back on the fish and chips option… To my delight on perusing the menu I saw grilled barramundi (YUM!) and was sold… I so wish that was a regular on the fish and chips menu in Melbourne! It was divine, the rest of the fare was good too… A nice little meal for the lazy ladies…
2995 Gold Coast Hwy
Surfers Paradise
(07) 55921148
Our first nights meal was not one worthy of reporting on comparatively, but when you are knackered from a day of travel its always nice to fall back on the fish and chips option… To my delight on perusing the menu I saw grilled barramundi (YUM!) and was sold… I so wish that was a regular on the fish and chips menu in Melbourne! It was divine, the rest of the fare was good too… A nice little meal for the lazy ladies…
Q1 Resort and Spa, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
Q1 resort and spa
3011 Gold Coast Hwy
Surfers Paradise 4217
www.q1.com.au
Room 1804
3011 Gold Coast Hwy
Surfers Paradise 4217
www.q1.com.au
Room 1804
The building is indeed impressive, going far into the sky, all shiny… The foyer keeps up that façade, and on entry to our room it did too! Lovely 1br apartment, big lounge area, with two fold out beds… Enclosed balcony is a nice (safe) idea, with windows that open right up so you get a lovely breeze… After reading reviews I had fear that there would just be a two seater plastic set up, which there is, but there is also a couch, so you can lounge out there…
So far so good, then there is the little signs of wear and tear/not cleaned well, marks on the walls, but the vast space allows you to forget the little things... Biggest 1br apartment I have ever stayed in...
The gym is very basic, with very old machines… The bikes only have a 22 minute maximum which threw me off completely… The weight machines feel a little less prehistoric, but probably are! No free weights and what feels like little aircon/oxygen, was quite like I was working much harder just because of the warmth… nice views of the café and pool, but the bike that wasn’t impossible to adjust the seat was facing a wall so I didn’t get to enjoy them…
The pool isn’t heated which may not sound important, but when you are super hot and the water is that cold you just don’t want to be in it for a stretch of time, which I would usually want to do for most of my time… The perks are that being so big there is always sun on at least one of the pools, much better then other spots with ground level pools in high rise surfers… Lots of beds which I hadn’t expected in the reviews I had read, would have liked the option of lunch by the pool, though the fare at the café near the pools was lovely…
But otherwise it really is lovely, but I have stayed in much nicer rooms that don’t claim to be 5 star… Would definitely give the building 5 stars, the rooms maybe 4…
Back, with tickets to Tegan and Sara
Back from Surfers Paradise, feeling refreshed!
Got tickets to Tegan and Sara today, though the show isnt till Jan when I will be around 7.5 months pregnant, a true fan ;) If you dig these sisters get your tickets asap, last year they sold out months before the show!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Away...
Gone to the Gold Coast till next week, limited access, so empty blog till I return with pics, reviews and a tan :)
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
MoVida - Melbourne City
MoVida
http://www.movida.com.au/
Open daily, Noon to late.
1 Hosier Lane, Melbourne, 3000 (Melways: Map 1, B12)
Bookings Essential Phone (03) 9663 3038
With the knowledge that post baby there will be fewer and fewer lovely meals out we have decided to start working our way through the 2009 Good Food Guide... Have had my eye on MoVida for a while and its appearance and fantastic review including 2 chefs hats in the guide made it the perfect pre Fathers day lunch on Sunday...
We didn't book ahead, even though it is suggested, as we were on a big walk around the city and I didn't want to have to rush anywhere, so when we happened by, they had one last spot at the tables next to the bar, which was ideal as I'm hating the smell of booze lately... The service was 5 star, our waiter was so friendly and attentive, this is always a good sign... We ordered 3 vegetarian meals to share, I honestly think the meat and seafood dishes look divine, so I will have to go back with a meat eater... We both favoured different meals, I rated the marinated capsicum as king, then the potatoes then the spinach... I could have eaten just the capsicum as an entire main, it was truly delicious... Mark favoured the potatoes (surprise), then the spinach then the capsicum, I don't know if that says something about the standard of yumminess or that we differ somewhat in our tastes for food... And to finish a shared dessert, churros, which were good, bu our chocolate could have been richer, I'm a sucker for rich chocolatey goodness...
In any case, great service and delightful tasty food, not overly priced, would highly recommend you check it out (with a meat eater)...
Espinacas con garbanzos: Sauteed spinach with chickpeas & spices
Asadillo: Marinated roast capsicum and tomato salad, in Moorish spices
Patatas a la pobre: Poor man's potatoes. Slow cooked nicola potatoes with peppers in olive oil
Churros: Rich drinking chocolate and Spanish doughnuts
http://www.movida.com.au/
Open daily, Noon to late.
1 Hosier Lane, Melbourne, 3000 (Melways: Map 1, B12)
Bookings Essential Phone (03) 9663 3038
With the knowledge that post baby there will be fewer and fewer lovely meals out we have decided to start working our way through the 2009 Good Food Guide... Have had my eye on MoVida for a while and its appearance and fantastic review including 2 chefs hats in the guide made it the perfect pre Fathers day lunch on Sunday... We didn't book ahead, even though it is suggested, as we were on a big walk around the city and I didn't want to have to rush anywhere, so when we happened by, they had one last spot at the tables next to the bar, which was ideal as I'm hating the smell of booze lately... The service was 5 star, our waiter was so friendly and attentive, this is always a good sign... We ordered 3 vegetarian meals to share, I honestly think the meat and seafood dishes look divine, so I will have to go back with a meat eater... We both favoured different meals, I rated the marinated capsicum as king, then the potatoes then the spinach... I could have eaten just the capsicum as an entire main, it was truly delicious... Mark favoured the potatoes (surprise), then the spinach then the capsicum, I don't know if that says something about the standard of yumminess or that we differ somewhat in our tastes for food... And to finish a shared dessert, churros, which were good, bu our chocolate could have been richer, I'm a sucker for rich chocolatey goodness...
In any case, great service and delightful tasty food, not overly priced, would highly recommend you check it out (with a meat eater)...
Espinacas con garbanzos: Sauteed spinach with chickpeas & spices
Asadillo: Marinated roast capsicum and tomato salad, in Moorish spices
Patatas a la pobre: Poor man's potatoes. Slow cooked nicola potatoes with peppers in olive oil
Churros: Rich drinking chocolate and Spanish doughnuts
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