Keep calm and carry on

Keep Calm and Carry On was a poster produced by the Government of the United Kingdom in 1939 during the beginning of the Second World War, intended to raise the morale of the British public in the event of invasion.

Source: Wikipedia

Today has been that kind of day, beyond that which I had to deal with at work. I think I have led on in previous posts that at the HEA household, something has been bubbling away under the surface. And well, here it is. No it isn't that Mr.HEA's grandmother passed away and we celebrated her wake last week (the reason why the posts front has been quiet). She had a beautiful long life and she brought together six children, eleven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, left behind to continue her legacy and looking around, the room, we are all such well brought up people and decent contributors to society that I think it was her mark on the world and I'd be truly proud of that achievement for myself in her shoes. For that, I dried my tears and vowed to celebrate her life and legacy instead of fretting I never got to know her.

Well, the post alludes more to the next chapter of my married life. Mr. HEA has decided to up and fulfill his dream of living in London, which is why if you have followed me on Twitter, you would have seen that I have booked tickets to go there in December to visit. Mr.HEA is leaving in August. Everyone I have told seems to be more panicked than me, telling me that I simply need to give up my career and be with him because my husband and my married life is more important. But I have made up my mind.

Perhaps I am selfish, I am staying put because I came here ten years ago and built everything I have here from scratch. The networks, the home, the family. I am not prepared to go back to nothing yet. Mr. HEA tells me it's just stuff. And I know he is right. But having a proper couch and a good fridge is how you tell you are here to stay and that this is your real home. Well, that was how we earmarked it when we were students, sharing accomodation. This is my own territory now and I struggle to leave behind. Besides, I have worked so hard to be influential of the direction of something that is so visible and tangible, that I cannot see why I would let it go for nothing secure?

Well, the plan is this, that Mr.HEA goes, since this is his adventure, and I stay because I have experienced mine, plus someone needs to support the mortgage until the finances are stable. I know, it is my Head talking, not my Heart. At times, I wake in the middle of the cold night and I slip into the nooks formed by his stance and am warmed and comforted by his physical presence in bed with me, but then I shed a tear for him not going to be there in a few months' time.

I have asked for him to wait for our one year's anniversary, but he is so unhappy being held back that I simply cannot bear to watch him suffer for my selfishness. So I will let go, and I will be strong if he cannot bear to see me suffer. He does not need to worry for me, I tell him as much, I want him to be only concerned about himself at first. And he is good, thinking about everything he possibly can to ensure that my well-being is cared for in every aspect whilst he is away (much like Captain Crawley did for Becky in Vanity Fair before he went on to war). I Love Him so for that, but as much as I thought Becky the conniving and selfish heroine, and how I loved Amelia's character in the story, I realise now I must be Becky, despite how people must judge me, and be distant and cold and strong to Mr.HEA so that he will thrive and survive in the wilderness London whilst we are apart.

Plenty of time to be meek and demure and reliant when we are reunited in the future. In my last post, I alluded we were celebrating, that is, we were celebrating him getting his Visa approved. My dear man is beside himself, so I shall remain supportive, keep calm and carry on.

Wine Degustation with Quarter Twenty One

I thought I'd try my best to recall step by step the wonderful experience Mr.HEA and I had on our latest date night, celebrating the end of last week at Quarter 21. I'll let on soon enough what we were celebrating, but this post is dedicated to a first experience for me, Wine pairing with food. Whilst I've always loved wines and good food, it has always been a bit too much for me to have more than a bottle's worth of wine so I have been apprehensive. This experience however, it just seemed apt as we had received a gift voucher for our wedding and Mr.HEA wanted for me to experience this. He didn't go for this as one of us had to be the responsible one for the night.

Mr. HEA's Basil Martini

Amuse bouche

 Just a burst of flavour that leaves you wanting more.

Salad of beetroot with endive, Baw Baw blue, hazelnut and pear

2010 Coombe Farm Pinot Gris, Yarra Valley, VIC, Australia

 One of my obsessions at the moment is beetroot with a goat's cheese so this salad was right up my alley. The wine smelt strong, to take on that Baw Baw flavour was in fact a really light wine, almost like water, very refreshing to wash down the cheese with.The pear, if saved for just the right intervals, leave you with a good crisp sweetness to tide over the bitter endives and cheese with.

Raviolo of ocean trout and king prawn with fennel and ginger

2009 Hugh Hamilton Viognier, McLaren Vale, SA, Australia

 We really enjoyed the fresh and sweet seafood in this Raviolo. The stock was just as sweet. Whilst the Viognier might not have been too palatable by itself (Mr.HEA scrunched up his nose), paired with this dish, the dryness takes away the sweetness to prepare you for another bite.

(not pictured)

Bourride of ocean jacket with mussels, squid and saffron rouille

2008 Victory Point Chardonnay, Margaret River, WA, Australia

There are several reasons why this dish wasn't picutred. Firstly, we were told this dish was scallop and I was very distracted because it didn't look like scallop. Then the Chardonnay was delectable with a smooth buttery finish, and with this silky ocean jacket, I swooned throughout the flavours.



Seared Queensland scallop with boudin noir & Jerusalem artichoke

2010 Yering Station Pinot Noir ‘Village’, Yarra Valley, VIC, Australia

 I questioned the waiter as to why the scallop dish was paired with a red wine. He assured me it would be fine. And this was because of the boudin noir, which in my innocence, I did not realise was a blood sausage. Just as the irony taste gets too much, you chew a bit of scallop and then wash it off your tongue with the Pinot Noir and finish it all off with the charred leek. Quite a divine mix for the tastebuds after all.

Slow cooked Riverina lamb with broad beans, artichoke & piperade jus

2009 Hugo Shiraz, McLaren Vale, SA, Australia

or

 Mr. HEA got this dish and thought the lamb a little bloody, but overall very tender and with good peppery flavours.

Slow-cooked Glenloth Farm pheasant, braised endive, raisin, caper & Grand Marnier

2010 Woodstock Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale, SA, Australia

 I took on the Pheasant cause Mr.HEA in his ignorance thought this meant rabbit and didn't like the thought of it. I knew it was a game bird, laughed haughtily and enjoyed it tremendously with the soft CS they served with it. Rather mellow flavours here, both the dish and the wine and I am beside myself.

(palate cleanser not pictured)

Champagne chiboust, mint & rockmelon

 Mr.HEA detests rockmelon, but his mother would have been shocked to see him down this sorbet with gusto. Perhaps with Champagne to mask its flavour, he is easier to please.

Banana crème brûlée, salted peanut brittle & milk coffee sorbet

Domaine des Bernardins, Muscat de Beaumes de Venise, Rhone Valley, France

or

Oh, really the best creme brulee I had ever had. The crunch of the caramelised top usually is enough to keep us going, but the hidden peanut brittle was a lovely delight and overall, the mixture of the salt and bitterness from the coffee sorbet was washed down surprisingly well with the French Muscat. I am bewildered as to how a sweet wine is just the thing to take the edge off a rather rich dessert as this, but the sugars counter each other it would seem and I am left with a balanced palate.

Warm 68% Alto Beni Zokoko chocolate pudding, honeycomb & pear sorbet

2008 Cookoothama Botrytis Semillon, Darlington Point, NSW, Australia

 Mr.HEA's dessert for the night, which he adored, gaga-ing when the chocolate oozes out of the fondant and really loving the crackle of the honeycomb.



Mr.HEA orders a flat white that is all heart...



Complimentary madeleines which I didn't quite need nor fancy.

Other things deserving a mention were the extremely fantastic crusty Becasse bread they serve at the beginning of the meal; our waiter's wonderful attention to detail (bringing exactly the right wine for my meal pairing, waiting patiently for Mr.HEA and I had to taste both dishes and then swap based on which one we prefered); and the beautiful ambience of the restaurant - I really liked the luxurious chairs and the french white brick walls.

I wish Quarter 21 will stay around for a long time. It is a good unpretentious place with great service and fabulous food. Word is they have gone into Voluntary Administration, but if they keep up doing all this great work, I really cannot fathom that this isn't their pathway to suceed.

Dining at Sokyo



Delightful Sokyo dishes from Left to Right
Top Row:
1) Jumbo King Prawn - Scorched onion, flat white dashi
2) Cuttlefish - Chilli de arbol, tarragon ponzu sauce
3) Tsukune Chicken - Shallots, pineapple ginger sauce
4) Kurobuta Pork Belly - Spicy shirodashi, yuzu kosho
5) Sashimi Platter - 24 pieces of mixed traditional sashimi

Middle Row:
1) Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice - Crispy nigiri, truffle salt, spicy mayo
2) Kingfish Furikake - Sokyo furikake, citrus paste, tosazu3) Salmon Belly Aburi - Spicy daikon oroshi

Desserts Row:
1) Donatsu - Pineapple mascarpone filling, crème fraiche ice cream
2) Goma Street - Caramelised white chocolate, sesame ice cream
3) Sokyo “Mochi Ice Cream” - Yatsuhashi kyoto mochi, frozen strawberry milk shake

Large Picture at the end :
Hokkaido Scallop Yuzu Honey

A large space with an abundance of patrons, we were amazingly shrouded away from the public by these large Rope veils. Although not enclosed, there was a sense of privacy. Between eight of us, the restaurant offered up sufficiently gorgeous platters of decadent and vibrant Japanese flavours and we managed to try a fair few things on the menu.

I am not hesitating if there is another opportunity to visit again sometime.

The finer side of Canberra

Much as I was campaigning for the lesser known southern highlands vineyards in the last couple of years amongst my friends, this beautiful region of great produce surrounding Northern Canberra has eluded me, until this past long weekend.

When approached by friends to plan for a surprise birthday trip there, I did mentally wrinkle up my nose, but because I knew I could trust these guys' taste (they know which foods and wine are generally to die for), I decided to throw caution to the wind and go along to see.

The weekend drive began with a massive fog which very quickly cleared up to become clear blue skies for the two days we were there:

We all drove up to Poacher's pantry as the meeting point and also to 'surprise' the birthday boy who was expecting to spend just a romantic brunch with his newly wed wife. Tip for other wives planning similar bonanzas, if your husband is really clued on then, this is no easy feat to pull off. We didn't realy surprise the Birthday boy at all, other than with how good the menu was at Poacher's.


Pictured above from left: Potato and tasty pecorino frittata with a side of bacon, hash brown and yummy green tomato relish; L.F.T -

Poachers smoked mountain pepper lamb, whipped fetta and oven roasted tomato served on rustic style toast and; walking up to the smokehouse cafe

  We stayed at the Redbrow Garden, and was lucky enough to book three of the four spacious lakeside ensuite rooms and had an allocated lounge all to ourselves.



Clockwise from top: Beautiful peony roses; The Dingy you are welcome to take out on the lake; The four guestrooms;  Lakeview from the rooms




We visited the Clonakilla Winery on Crisps Lane first and most the group (even the hard to please ones) took a liking to their reislings. Failing to find the cellar door of Capital Wines afterwards, we headed directly to Shaw Vineyard Estate instead for more wine tastings and the vibrant dishes at their restarant, Flint in the Vines. On the wines, the crowd pleaser here was the Isabel Reisling, but I was pleased to note too that they produce the Laughter series in support of Camp Quality (who I had the luxury of working with very recently and is a charity that is all heart and transparency). On the Food, oh who would have thought that nestled in Isabel Drive in Murrumbateman, nowhere near the coast would we find such delightful seafood creations cooked to perfection as these:



Marinated Prawn & Buffalo Milk Mozzarella/ cherry tomato & fresh basil

Roasted Red Snapper Fillet / roquette, cherry tomato, confit lemon, kipfler potato


 Having feasted on such divine seafood creations, we didn't have room for anymore big meals but was greedy to try more wines. Tis was the reason we were drawn to make the trip to the real cellar door for Capital Wines. This was actually located behind The Royal Hotel on Cork Street in Gundaroo. The Grazing restaurant looks really refined and if I could have a meal there I would (perhaps next time). They boast of an impressive kitchen garden out the back, and they kid you not:

On Capital Wines, one must give the tongue-in-cheek Minister series a go. I loved the easy to drink Foreign Minister which was a light sangiovese with refreshing berry flavours.

I must say that we actually parted ways after Shaw Vineyard with another team setting out to amass local produce for grazing in lieu of dinner. They remained in Murrumbateman and visited Gallagher's cheeses and Robyn Rowe's Chocolates as well as Homeleigh Grove Olives. Between them and our find of the delectable Brasserie Freshly bakes Ciabatta breads and imported Ossau Iraty sheep's milk cheese available for purchase at Capital's cellar door, we were able to assemble a rather gourmet assortment for the night:

The next morning, we woke up Bright and early and hit Helm Wines as soon as we had breakfasted, cleaned and checked out. I was really impressed with their Museum Chardonnay which was released for the Queen's Birthday long weekend and just a buttery drink that needs no accompaniment.

Trying to squeeze another few big Canberran wine labels into our last day there, we treked to Mount Majura Vineyard, but was turned away because we were too big a group of ten and we hadn't called ahead like we did with the other smallish vineyards and so they couldn't accomodate us. Shame.

That was fine though because it made a our tour and tasting at Lerida Estate just that much more delightful and welcomed. Jim showed us around and took us through the delightful wine range they had set out for us to taste. Noteworthy wines were the earthy Josephine Pinot Noir and their yummy Botrytis with hints of honeycomb.



Left to right, Top to bottom: Lerida Cafe's Specials menu, Their wine tastings setup, The East facing vineyard, Mr.HEA's Beef Onion and Tomato pie, Terrine of the Day.



  

I truly think that Lerida Cafe was the highlight of the trip. The Terrine of the day was a Guinea Fowl, Porcini Mushroom and Hazelnut one, perfect with a glass of Pinot Noir ($6.50 extra) and I paid another $4 to upgrade the toasted sourdough in the dish to their advertised Truffle Bread ( a real lux delight). I believe I finished every morsel on that plate.

Whilst I still heart the Southern Highlands, I think it's definitely worthwhile going even further and spending a weekend in the Canberra wine region.

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Re: Babies

Reading your mum's email, when she says "you must be firm and calm to receive all the stress given to you", I think she's saying that whatever she and other people say, it is YOU who must be strong-willed eonugh to make your own decisions and handle the stress.
~Mr. HEA~

I think I posted during Mother's Day that I have been rather upset with mum over all that pressure for me to have a child or three soon. Darling Mr.HEA had been helping soothe me down and helping me enjoy the trip ahead of me.

And truth be told it hasn't been an easy feat, but the magic of one taking it as a joke and the brushing off lightly of a serious topic slices tension like a knife through butter. I was back in KL and Mum demanded for grandchildren again as usual so I placed these freaky babies in her palm and told her to take very good care of them.

I suppose it is just as hard for them to make these demands as it is for us to disappoint them. In a way, they only want what is good for us and they are afraid to hear that the reasons may be that we are struggling, be it financially or health-wise. So, whilst I used to find it a probing and detested the question, I think I have risen above it all and am now able to cope better. There are worse things in life to focus your energy on than being angry with people who really care about you.

Adelaide the city of Chocolate

Yeah, I meant what I wrote, I hereforth no longer will refer to Adelaide as the city of Churches. City of Chocolate seemed more apt. Two years ago, I travelled there with a real lady who pretty much gets whatever she wants. We were in a traditional pub and she got a craving for chocolate truffles and the bar-tender whips out a martini glass full to the brim with these handmade chocolate truffles that the Hilton Adelaide provides to their VIP staff. True Story. So there, if you can get chocolate truffles from a pub here, how else would you perceive the city?

I find Adelaide a place that's serious about produce and fooding. Why else would so many Adelaide contestants proceed so far in National cooking competitions? Who could forget 2012's MKR finals the battle of the South Australians Nic and Rocco v Leigh and Princess Jen? Or of Masterchef fame, Poh and Adam Liaw?

At this point, I am tempted to gush all about my dining experience in the Marquis here because it was real fine, but I will be reserved and keep that for another post. This one will just be about chocolate consumption whilst in Adelaide.

Behold:

Some of these you would have seen from my previous two posts, but oh my I tell you, these ChocoMe on the top right hand corner are a SA brand to watch. I would have had three bars to photograpgh except Mr.HEA devoured one before I could stop him. He ate the Strawberry and lemon myrtle bar and (ok I partook in some of the consumption) it was D-I-V-I-N-E.

Now tucking into my truffles from Haigh with a cup of hot tea, a spot of indulgence I now afford myself to remind me of the wonderful region of Adelaide.

Adelaide Dining experience - The Marquis

Describing each row from left to right:

Row 1: Dining at the Marquis a place of contemporary Parisian food; The waiter says to us there is a list for wines they sell by the glass, but if it was a bottle we were after, feel free to explore the extensive wine shelves they have; a private room setting if you are so inclined.

Row 2: My first Escabeche but certainly not my last. A perfect appetiser that opens your palate to want more food; A Delightful tile of the finest SA seared scallops; Rack of lamb for two? Or Five?

Row 3: My Fish Main; Jenga chips with sirloin steak; Complimentary Tiffany-esque box; Inside holds a delightful hand-rolled chocolate truffle.

Other elements of the meal worthy of a mention is

1) The baby beetroot and goats cheese salad. A must-try if you are ever there.

2) The 2009 bottle of Vouvray we ordered. It was a very chalky wine to begin with on its own but took on depths of flavour with the Escabeche and scallops and really grew on us to become a yummy accompaniment to our meal

3) The desserts of a Chocolate Marquis and Bombe Alaska were really indulgent. Pity I could only watch on as my colleagues powered through it. I was pleased enough with my petit fors, but if I am ever back again, I will leave room for dessert there.

Hilton Adelaide





We traveled to Hilton Adelaide for work this time, but I sure wished we had more time for play.

 

Plump Bed, Natural lighting, inviting furnishings, what more would you need from a home away from home?



The pool was a gorgeous outdoor one, but no one was game enough to brave this cold weather to swim in it.




The view from the hotel's deck/ barbeque area




In room spa. Samples of Peter Thomas Roth products if you have been lazy in packing your own. They also had a menu of beauty items you can purchase/ borrow from the hotel if you have forgotten to bring your own. This included a GHD Hair Straightener!




In room dining. I ordered a beautiful chilled red wine which came in a little decanter. And SA grain-fed beef sans the Rosemary Chats but a large bowl of greens instead. I'd have prefered a bit of avocado or Havarti cheese in my salad, but hey it was a lot more healthy this way I suppose.




In Room Indulgence. A Pot of Haigh's Hot Chocolate. It wasn't as rich as Lindt, and not very sweet at all, but full of chocolatey goodness to be sure!




Chocolatey Goodness continues: The Hilton Haighs Chocolate Martini made with real Haighs chocolate flakes, tequila, Kahlua and 87% Mozart chocolate liquer, this drink alone is worth flying down to the hotel for.

Fooding in KL



Sakae sushi at Paradigm Mall: Cha soba, Sakae Blossom salmon sushi, Sakae cawamushi. Oishiii!!!





Wooh Pin Fish Head Noodles in Danau Desa is so well known for their milk-based broth, that they only sell four varieties of their noodle. This one pictured above is the fish paste rice vermicelli for those of you who prefer to be elegant when cnsuming your meal and not suck on fried fish heads. At RM9, the price is well worth it because the portions are bigger than your average noodles from hawker stalls



This drink is called Michael Jackson. It's black, it's white, get it? It's really black grass jelly mixed with sweet soy bean milk so its very refreshing in a hot country like Malaysia



At a Chinese wet market: The infamous Laksa adapted by the local chinese into Curry Mee (Mine with Fishballs for RM5) and a cup of mixed tea and coffee, also known as 'Cham'

At a typical Mamak indian restaurant, this plate of Mee Goreng and frothy teh tarik costs just slightly less than RM5.





Wantan Mee! A childhood favourite of egg noodles tossed in a dark soy sauce, garnished with sweet slices of roasted pork and a bowl of wontons cooked in broth on the side.




Pork noodles. This version held back on the pork innards and focussed on only the mince. Otherwise, I think you'd also get some chopped liver and coagulated pig's blood. I was less adventurous and asked for an additional egg instead, dropped into your boiling hot stock at the end so that it is still runny when you dig in.



 More often than not, these dishes I have savoured above can be ordered too from swankier establishments in air-conditioned shopping centres nowadays in Malaysia. The board above sums up the lure of why these places have become so popular. I guess, patting off beads of sweat will never be a good look, but will always be what you'd face when dining at the local stalls and chinese coffee shops (kopitiam).

It was a very satisfying trip back home and I know I have displayed my weakness for noodles in this post. The challenge is to now try and fit back into a non-carb loaded brunch every morning. Sighz.

Bought: Two American labels

My Shopbop purchases are finally in my possession! I practically leapt out of the plane to the office to get at them. You've seen them before in a previous post where I mulled over whether I could justify the purchase. A $100 dollars off with a discount code really sealed the deal for me.

This Rebecca Minkoff Quilted Affair is gorgeous and such a fantastic mix between fun and elegant that I have no regrets choosing this as my very first Rebecca Minkoff handbag. Check out the fun interior that matches the dustbag. The linen lining keeps the bag young, but what wins me over is the quality of the leather and the weight in the solid metal chain strap. If you think the studs are a bit much, wait till you see the STUD I found in the side pocket, a signature token that accompanies each flirtatiously named bag. After all, Rebecca Minkoff did rise to fame with her Morning After bag.

So that's the impressive part. What's not so impressive is that the tag on the bag says the suggested retail price is $395, and I paid $395 for it only after a code discount, which meant that I really never got a discount to begin with. What a let down, that fact, and not something I had ever experienced with ShopBop.

This Tory Burch red skinny patent belt is true to size and it is brilliant in quality. I can't wait to rock this and take modelling pics! Oh and I did pay the suggested retail price for this, so no problems there!