Monday, April 26, 2010

Not Quite an ANZAC Remembrance Day

ANZAC Day has come again and for me, amongst other things, it has a different significance. Yes, whenever this day of remembrance comes around it means I'm a year older.




Planning a menu to serve 30+ of my closest friends and family is quite a conundrum. With all my other commitments I am time poor and I feel like I've exhausted my full repertoire of recipes. I also do not desire to be slaving in the kitchen and miss the point of the day altogether.





The answer came from an ever reliable source, my television, of course! As me and my wife were pondering this yearly dilemma a supermarket ad came on...and as they say, the rest is history.





So, apart from the requisite noodle dish, it was a mainly western lineup of dishes with a 6+kg roast beef as the centrepiece.



leftovers from the night before


I also should mention that the wife and I attempted our first fondant cake.





No recipe on this post though but just a collection of photos I took the day after...of the leftovers.







Sunday, April 18, 2010

Greenhouse, Perth WA

I'm not in the position to give Greenhouse a proper critique. I've only dined there once. And it was only for breakfast. The restaurant's lunch and dinner menus look a lot more exciting. Unfortunately for me I got to sample neither.





I intended to go a few more times after my first visit but the opportunity just did not come up. My dinner plans were already set even before I boarded the plane for Perth. Lunch at the restaurant was virtually impossible as my office in WA is a few suburbs away from its location (unlike Dave, of Don't Do What Dave Does, who works in the same building. I greatly appreciate the recommendation though...).


Furniture designed by Joost Bakker using recycled wooden palettes

Back to the breakfast. I ordered scrambled eggs on toast with a side of bacon and a latte. It's pretty pedestrian I know. I'm kicking myself now for not choosing something more exciting. A brekkie pizza perhaps...anyway, I'm sure there'll be a next time. The eggs were excellent though. The bacon was a bit burnt on the edges (look at the photo) but was still tasty. And the coffee...it's something to rave about. It's one of the best I've had.

Greenhouse was constructed from nothing but recycled and other earth-friendly materials. This fact sets it apart from the other structures in the CBD. The restaurant is difficult not to notice with its exterior covered in terracotta pots planted with wild strawberries. The interior is equally impressive continuing the green theme.

these look a bit parched

I should also mention that I really like the fact that they serve water without me asking. Nice touch!

My next trip to the west is still a while away but I know where I'll be dining! Pig head and trotter terrine here I come!




Wednesday, April 14, 2010

The University of Western Australia - Perth Visit Part 2

Please indulge me a little bit. This post has nothing to do with food at all but everything to do with my being "The Beancounter."

On every trip to the west coast I never fail to drop by my old college, The University of Western Australia. For the nostalgia, of course, and also because it is a fascinating place to visit. The campus is surrounded by majestic sandstone and terracotta buildings nestled among heritage listed gardens.

Below is a collection of photos I took on this recent trip of what is considered one of the most picturesque campuses in the country. I hope I did it justice.









Winthrop Hall - its stained glass windows were badly damaged by the recent storm














My old home


"VERILY BY BEAUTY IT IS THAT WE COME AT WISDOM" - Robert Bridges






The Library





Sunday, April 11, 2010

Perth Visit - Part 1


I've got a busy week ahead of me. In the meantime, please enjoy a collection of photos on my recent trip to Australia's west coast (or visit my archive).


the bag


the destination




the ride


departure from my usual toast














proper hot breakfast on this 5+ hour flight


































the evening's entertainment



one of Perth's newest and innovative restaurants (watch out for a future post)




King's Park at night




King's Park during the day






King's Park at Night 2



King's Park during the day 2












Cafe by the office













flight home