Petrus

If ever you wanted great food and a busy team of waitstaff that worked wonderfully as an attentive team to ensure you got the best experience, Petrus is an excellent choice. We were treated much like royals from the moment we stepped in, greeted like we were the most important guests there, coats taken away in a flourish and seats pulled out for us in a lovely manner.

We begin with some dainty amuse bouche complimentary of the chef. Cruchcy wafers wrapped around delicious goats' cheese and honey. Very delightful to start with and to wash down with Ayala Champagne.

 We went all out and had the Chef's tasting menu last night.

Pig's head croquettes which were actually quite tasty when you got over yourself with the images of cute pigs.

Our Foie gras, served with thyme bread. In hindsight, I should have sensibly left some foie gras untouched as there were just so many more delights to come, but it was a gorgeous dish and before I knew it, I had polished off everything on my plate yet again.

Thought I'd give you a view of the lovely table settings.

I think we both loved this Lobster and Salmon ravioli, tucking into the flavoursome dumpling ravenously, almost disappointed when it was over and we were left with the puddle of chives cream.

But all disappointment were quickly allayed when the infamous Gordon Ramsey Beef Wellington was brought before us. We had swapped our main course over for this chef's special. Years of my brother lighting up at the mention of beef wellington and telling anyone that would listen about the time he watched Gordon Ramsey make his had incepted into our minds that we MUST HAVE this moment.

Medium rare juicy beef in the midst of flaky pastry. This is the most substantial tasting menu I had ever had and yes I think bro was sufficiently jealous that we got to taste this before him, but the staff were lovely, they promised to make it again if my brother ever came to visit, all we had to do was to ring ahead and let them know of the request.

Orange Jelly and Campari Granita as palate cleansers.

 Passionfruit cream cones as pre-desserts (again complimentary from the chef).

These chocolate and honeycomb desserts were divine. They bring it out in little shiny chocolate domes which melt away as hot dark chocolate sauce is drizzled over it in front of us to reveal a scoop of vanilla ice-cream. What a treat. (NB, I really don't like milk in the UK and thus the ice cream is affected too, the cream content of the dairy here is lacking in comparison to Australian dairy. Just Saying). Still polished off this dessert regardless of how full we were from the meal.

 Wait there is more! For Mr. HEA's bday, they sang a dulcet Happy Bday with a chocolate coconut macaron. Thank goodness he was aware of my love for these french biscuits and halfed his birthday treat with me.

 And final compliments for the night, amidst the dry ice theatrics,

Four dainty white chocolate covered ices to refresh your palate once more before they pull the table from you and reproduce your coats again in a flourish and bade their farewell. By then I felt like we were leaving our friends behind, the service had been that wonderful, we felt like they really cared for us.

I couldn't have picked a better restaurant for Mr. HEA's birthday, and I think this Michelin star is very well deserved for this place.

Roux at the Landau

The Roux At the Landau is a beautiful and elegant place, nestled next to the Langham hotel. We were pleased to walk in out of the cold and they checked in our coats as we didn't need them in this warm and welcoming establishment.

We were seated along the edges of the oval shaped room, well placed for us to peer in on the quiet bustle and the pride with which the staff conducted service in this place.

Before orders were made, we were given these delicate appetisers.

Although we asked to split the entree, the entree came out pre-split for us, and because there just isn't a pretty way to plate up half a prawn, the chef very generously gave us one each for our share. The scallops were the hero of the dish, delicate and just cooked through so that it didn't lose any of its bite, juices or flavour.

This was my Sea bass main which was scrumptious and beautifully cooked.

Mr.HEA ordered the beef main which was also perfectly done, Tender and juicy just the way it should be.

My main came with a healthy serving of couscous too.

And Petit fours, complimentary because the Chef just wanted us to have something to finish off the meal with, Pity I just couldn't stay awake any longer that night, having just flown in from Sydney that morning, otherwise I would have loved to stay for desserts and tea.

So glad we selected this place to have our belated anniversary celebrations at. The staff were lovely and the food was delectable. And have I highlighted that the Chef is extremely generous? Must go if you're staying at the Langham or just in town and looking for a nice place to celebrate something special.

Valentino exhibition at Somerset House

A New Exhibition at Somerset house, this display collates over 130 dresses from the fashion house's collections over the years. The journey begins with a collection of personal photographs, fashion show invitations and thank you notes from the various celeb clients Valentino has amassed over the years.
It then takes you to the Catwalk of these dresses on display, but get this, you're on the catwalk and the dresses are watching you walk. The dresses are best observed in a zigzag fashion following the numerals that explain each of the style and techniques for each garment. My favourites were one that was a White rebrode lace evening gown with pink degrade chiffon drape detailing, created for Mexican actress Maria Felix, and the stunning masterpiece of a wedding gown he created for Princess Marie-Chantal’s which took twenty-five of Valentino’s seamstresses to make, featured 12 kinds of lace and had a four and a half metre train. 

The rest of the show gives you a unique glimpse into the techniques employed to make these couture pieces, including Valentino's own insights via his virtual museum. Enjoy some of the sneak photos I managed to grab, but even more, make sure you head towards Somerset House if you ever are in London between now to the 3rd March 2013. It is open daily from 10.00 to 18.00 and costs GBP12.50 per entry. Closest tube station is Temple.

Married but single

I am going off on my trip to see Mr. HEA soon. A trip I approached with trepidation.

Maybe I ought to change my blog name, or maybe I am still in search of my happy ever afters. It didnt appear upon marriage like the fairytales promise. Truth is, Mr. HEA's path to happiness right now is mutually exclusive from mine.




I have always loved Sydney and this chance to find my own life in Sydney again and rebuild it anew as a married but single person, it was really a good way to live out the single girl in me that I never properly heralded out before we married.

Who says Sydney lacks in any way the amount of things to do? I have always loved this city what with the random promotions and festivals. Remember that time when Martin place was transformed into a massive nail parlor?



Or when Lego pieces were strewn around?




And when they brought Orange out to Sydney and also had Art and about installations all for free.

Nothing beats these lovely surprises and the gorgeous landscapes made even more beautiful with the perpetual sunshine




I haven't even mentioned the new speakeasy bars that have infiltrated our social scene giving us just a tad more variety than we used to have. Or the good selection of good quality food that's readily available. All has made it worthwhile that I stayed behind.

I won't lie. This distance has taken me to some rather dark moments this year that I ain't proud of. I pray I figure out what is my new path in the next six months and I hope it aligns with his.

Until then, I bid lovely Sydney 2012 adieu and will be trying out London for a while.




P. s . Thank you all my well wishers and friends and followers for being so supportive and patient with my cynicism and rants. It's been easier just knowing you all care.




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Boy-o-boy

Boy-Oh-Boy

Boy oh boy was such a gem of a find on this trip. We went to Hunter Valley for the weekend with every intention of keeping it casual. So casual we never bothered to make reservations to any of the good restaurants to eat at. Right in the peak of wedding season, this was by no means a rookie mistake. Muse, our first place of choice had been booked out by a Lucky couple for their wedding.

They were really gracious though and suggested Boy-oh- boy to us. And with nothing more to go by but the recommendation from Muse's staff and the knowledge that it is French casual dining, we set off to Tempus Two where we were in for a treat.

Stuffed Zucchini Flowers with truffle and goat cheese mousse salad of asparagus

A daily menu meant that the selection was kept small, simple, and guaranteed freshness. We shared entrees, and had chosen well with the Zucchini flowers and its light stuffings.

63 degree poached eggs sautéed mushrooms watercress and roquette emulsion

I have tried a few times to make a slow cooked egg and you know, I should really leave it to the experts. I never could make my egg turn out like the one that was in this soup. It was just gorgeous and when the yolk was mixed into the emulsion, it gave it that yummy creamy flavor and complemented the woodiness of the mushrooms perfectly.

Milly Hill lamb with beetroot & strawberry puree

The boys who had this couldn't stop raving about it. The purée he says is the perfect combination for the tender cutlets. Everything was moist, flavorsome and so unforgettable especially when paired with Tempus Two's GSM.

Wagyu rump with red wine jus & potato foam

The star if this dish was the delicious potato foam it came with. It was like light, fluffy mash. Full of the flavor of potato but so light you almost doubt you had taken a mouthful.

Boy o boy surf n turf

Marrow, Speck, Scallops and prawns was not your typical kind of Surf and turf. To be honest, I've rediscovered my lack of interest in speck. But the sweet marrow when married with the scallops and prawns, made a strangely delicious combination. It is a more delicate version of Surf n Turf and probably the most creative one I'll ever try. I did find the scallops too overcooked, much to my disappointment.

.Chocolate fondant with yogurt foam and passion fruit sorbet

But any disappointment is dissipated with this dessert following it. Oozing chocolate centers and a delicious passion fruit sorbet to cut through the bitter sweetness, you could be much happier not sharing this dessert at all, unlike us who reverted back to sharing the course.

Pineapple and lemon curd ravioli with coconut ice cream

Fortunately the only other strong contender for attention to the fondant was this delicate ravioli. A refreshing palate cleanser, it was delightful to finish with this dish of tropical flavors.

Boy-oh-boy is now new, but it should very soon become a well known place I think. As long as it continues plating up beautiful and delicate dishes that's jam packed with technique and flavor, no one could resist making this their Hunter Valley haunt.