From Across the Kitchen Table

Gumbo Shop. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

2019-05-23T14:34:00.000+10:00

Four letters- NOLA. Three words to describe New Orleans, "Like No Other", because there really is no other place in the world that compares to it. I fell in love with NOLA (New Orleans Louisiana) as soon as I had set foot on this magical city. Its history goes back 300 years to French, Spanish, Creole and African heritage. It is not surprising that NOLA remains a city of rich diversity with seemingly endless festivals, great food, magnificent architecture and jazz. It's a place known for its party atmosphere. You'll never get bored here.

New Orleans has a unique cuisine and is deeply influenced by Creole cuisine, Cajun Cuisine and soul food. When you think of Louisiana's cuisine, what comes to mind? Of course, it's gumbo. Did you know back in 2004, the state declared gumbo as the official dish of Louisiana.

We arrived quite late in the evening and one of the few places that was still open was the Gumbo Shop, only a stone's throw away from our hotel. Gumbo Shop in French Quarter was repeatedly chosen for having the best gumbo in New Orleans. As this was my first time in New Orleans, I was really excited to try this thick stew tonight.

The restaurant is housed in a restored 1795 building in Saint Peter Street at the heart of the French Quarter. I was fascinated by the lovely old murals on the walls, it certainly added charm to the old Nawlins atmosphere of the restaurant. It also has a quaint outdoor patio perfect for cooler days.
I had the Seafood Okra Gumbo and loved it. Okra is normally used in gumbo to further enhance the taste as it adds a silky texture and wonderful flavour to the stew. The Boudin tasted amazing and will leave you wanting for more. That was a rare Cajun delicacy any visitors must try, absolutely delicious! Don't forget to leave room for dessert and try their Warm Bread Pudding, it was heavenly. I would recommend this place to anyone wanting to try authentic gumbo or Creole and Cajun inspired dishes for the first time.

Cajun Grilled Boudin stuffed with rice and served with Creole Mustard.

Grilled Boudin cut open

Jamabalaya and Shrimp Creole

Chicken Andouille Gumbo

Seafood Okra Gumbo

Warm Bread Pudding with Whisky Sauce
Taste like heaven. Yummy!

Praline Sundae

Gumbo Shop
630 Saint Peter Street
New Orleans, LA

Err, Bangkok, Thailand

2019-05-09T14:26:00.000+10:00

Err is headed by chef-owners, Duangpong "Bo" Songvisava and Dylan "Lan" James, the same couple behind one of Bangkok's top dining restaurants, Bo.lan. This casual, retro-inspired Thai restaurant is tucked away in the quiet back streets of Bangkok near the Chao Phraya River and Wat Pho Temple.

Bangkok is famous for its street food. The food displays all looked and smelled so good and tempting but still many tourists are scared to try it. At Err, you won't find any of the standard Thai dishes here because they only serve authentic Thai street food. Now that's good for those who are not brave enough to try it on the street like me. The menu was interesting and creative however, for the portion served it was priced slightly dearer compared to other local restaurants. I loved the food, it was exquisite and all tasted fantastic but because they came in small portions we end up having to order two of each dish.

Fruit Punch

Lemongrass Soda

Pak Dong Ruam

Siamese pickled pintxo- pickled garlic, mustard, turnips

Lab Peak Pla Meuk

Isaan-style salad of squid wing and toasted rice

Neam

Grilled Northern-style garlic and sticky rice cured pork

Si Krong Moo Bar Bee Que

BBQ pork ribs Chinatown-style

Hoi Op Woon Sen

Braised black lip mussels with glass noodles and black bean sauce

Kor Moo
Grille pork neck with spicy tamarind sauce

Khao Niew

Egg coated grilled sticky rice

After meal sweets.

Restaurante Choco, Cordoba, Spain

2019-05-01T14:07:00.000+10:00

From the moment I walked in, I can tell I was in for an amazing dining experience at Choco. True enough, it was anything but ordinary.

We started off at the lounge area where we were served the three appetisers and drinks. Then through the frosted sliding glass doors we continued on to the kitchen where we were greeted by Michelin-starred Chef Kisko Garcia. He explained to us the philosophy and inspiration behind his new menu while another chef was preparing our next course. Then Chef Kisko gifted me a small bag of lavender seeds which was used in smoking the sardines, our next course. Finally, we were shown to our table and one by one the incredible dishes started to arrive.

The whole experience was fun and the food was delicious and of the highest standard. Everything was excellent from the time we arrived until our departure and I enjoyed every moment.

The lounge area

Pickled Vegetables

Smoked Fish

Caviar Tart

Chef preparing our next course.

Regana with Smoked Sardines

Lavender Seeds

Tasting Menu

Goat Butter

Green Gazpacho, Seasoned Horse Mackerel and Cucumber

Cold Gazpachuelo, Prawns and Corn

Choosing your bread, adding some element of theatrics into the dining experience.

Pink Salmorejo, Scampi, Oyster Leaf

Andalusian Parpatana, Green Leaf and Mint

Vegetable Pot, Iberian Jowl and Fresh Mint

Stewed Choco, Roasted Seabass and Yarrow

Iberian Pork, Roasted Garlic and Charcoal

A lime that wasn't a lime.
'Lime and Lemon'

Ruin

Petits Fours

Our bill arrived in this intricate container.

Restaurante Choco

Calle Compositor Serrano Lucena, 14,

14010 Cordoba, Spain

Arabica Bar & Kitchen, London, England

2019-04-23T12:59:00.000+10:00

London is a city with plenty of fantastic choices when it comes to international cuisine. Irony is, with so much options deciding where to eat can be a bit of a struggle. After we visited Borough Market (separate post here), which was an absolute must in the itinerary, we chanced upon this gem of a restaurant right on the edge of the market nestled beneath the railway arch. What I especially like about the place is the wonderful exposed brick arch/ceiling, very chic yet retaining its old charm. You can also hear the rumbling of the trains overhead which added more character and drama to the place. I really loved the food, every single one of which was bursting with flavours. Whilst the dishes were tasty and delicious, the portions were small therefore you might need to order a few more or you can opt for the rest of the market if you're still feeling hungry. Do check out their stall just outside the restaurant on market days. They have a range of mezze, sweets and pastries for take-away.

Kibeh- Levantine-style bulgur wheat croquette with spiced lamb, onion, pine nuts and sumac

Spinach Kibeh

Lamb meshwi with walnut harissa, parsley, onion, sumac salad

Pan-fried sea bass and king scallops, monk's beard, saffron and cardamon lebneh

Imam Bayaldi fried aubergine

Spiced lamb ragu, toasted pine nuts.

Batata Harra, tripled cooked potatoes, peppers, onion, garlic and chilli.

On market days, you can find this Arabica stall selling an assortment of Middle Eastern pastries and desserts as well as falafels and wraps outside the restaurant.

Arabica Bar and Kitchen
3 Rochester Walk, Borough Market, London

Monopole, Potts Point, NSW

2019-04-17T17:02:00.000+10:00

We took our son to celebrate his birthday at Monopole, a two-hatted restaurant located in one of Sydney's oldest but certainly one of the coolest suburbs, Potts Point. We loved Monopole's intimate setting and their delicious tasting menu, in particular the steak tartare and charcuterie dishes. The food came in sharing platters and a few were a bit heavy so it was a good idea to share. Dishes may look simple but were packed with rich and bold flavours and tasted quite impressive. Or so the saying goes, 'good food doesn't have to look complicated to be delicious'.

Can't wait for another excuse to go back.

Tassie Cider

Kurobuta Pork Belly

Pork and Fennel Saucisson

Rangers Valley Brisket

Raw Trevally, Buttermilk and Green Almond

Beef Tartare, Spelt and Radish

Spanish Mackerel, Broad Beans and Gem Lettuce

Smoked Brisket and Mushroom

Beetroot, Pepita Puree and Currants

White Chocolate, Sesame Parfait and Dark Berries

Monopole

71 MacLeay St, Potts Point, NSW

(02) 9630.4410

Kreta Ayer, Eastwood, NSW, Australia

2019-04-12T10:45:00.000+10:00

Dining at Kreta Ayer reminded me so much of Singapore and of the many family lunch gatherings I had with my siblings, just like the good old times. I miss having hawker food as well as the other Singaporean dishes that I pretty much had daily in the years that I was living there. The very thought of that aroma of charred char kway teow is enough to make my mouth water.
In Malay, 'kreta ayer' means water cart and in Chinese it's called 'niu che shui'. In the early 19th and 20th centuries these ox carts were used to transport water to Chinatown. I have been to Kreta Ayer numerous times for my hawker-style food fix and the food has always been consistently fresh and good however, service can be a bit lacking. Moreover, since this is a small restaurant, seating arrangement is rather tight so you have to squeeze into your seat. The place also gets really busy during peak hours and on weekends so be prepared to queue.

Kreta Ayer Kopi with Grass Jelly
Pineapple, Mango, Sago and Coconut Milk

Ngo Hiang Roll

Oyster Omelette

Crispy Noodles with Seafood

Hot and Spicy Lala

Salted Egg Prawn

Penang Char Kway Teow

Kreta Ayer Eastwood
172-176 Rowe Street, Eastwood

Disfrutar, Barcelona, Spain

2019-04-09T11:34:00.000+10:00

Spain is a country that is blessed with many excellent restaurants and Disfrutar is one of them. This restaurant has now become my favourite place to dine in this incredibly beautiful city of Barcelona.

Disfrutar is run by three former El Bulli chefs de cuisine (Chefs Oriol Castro, Mateu Casanas and Eduard Xatruch). The restaurant is ranked 18th by 'The World's 50 Best Restaurants' when it first entered the list last year making it 'The Highest New Entry'. As well as receiving 2 Michelin stars in Michelin Guide 2019.

From the moment I set foot inside Disfrutar, I knew that this was going to be the pinnacle of my culinary experience in Barcelona. On the way to the main dining room, we passed by the busy kitchen. My expectations were running high and Disfrutar did not disappoint. That evening was like no other. The entire experience was fun and exciting, full of surprises and no shortage of food theatrics which left all of us wanting more and wished it didn't have to end. It was truly a remarkable multi-sensory dining experience and meeting Chef Oriol Castro made it even more special. Indeed one of the best meals I've ever had anywhere in the world and certainly one that I will never forget.

Frozen Passionfruit ladyfinger with Rum

Lychee that was transformed into a frozen raspberry with Rose petals and dewdrops of Gin.

The rose petals were not meant to be eaten, oops!

'The beet that comes out of the land'

This took us by surprise. It's one of many "blink and you will miss it" moments.

Our server came with a bowl of black sesame seeds. She gave it a swirl and as just like magic, three beetroot meringue suddenly appeared!

Beetroot Meringue

Smoked Instant Apple Cider

This was going to be fun! The waitress setting up a show-stopping tableside presentation.

Smoked Apple Cider left to boil and steep.

A little carved box filled with sweet surprises!

Savoury walnut candy with mango, tonka beans and whisky

'Disfrutar olives' (above) with Mandarin flower essence (photo below)

These were faux olives but so fun and delightful to eat and just melts in your mouth!

'Mandarin flower essence' that was eaten after the olives. At this point, my taste buds were starting to acclimate.

Smoking wood chips to give a slight smoky flavour to the apple cider.

The apple cider is now poured over the smoked glass.

Mille-feuille of 'Idiazabal' paired with the Smoked Apple Cider.

The crispy wafer was made by frying cheese and sandwiched in between is a light foamed cream.

Gazpachio Sandwich paired with sherry Vinegar that was sprayed in the wine glass.

You smell the vinegar in the glass in between bites. The intention is to get that 'taste' of vinegar through smelling.

Crispy Egg Yolk with Mushroom Gelatine

The combination of flavours was unbelievable.

Multi spherical tatin of foie gras and corn

These are no ordinary corn kernels, each sphere is filled with corn flavoured liquid that sits on top of a rectangular piece of foie gras on a wafer.

Ceviche deconstruction

'Razor Clams with Seaweed brined in Salt' is drizzled with oil and sprayed with sherry vinegar. Another amazing dish. These delicate clams cooked with seaweed is a winner!

Magic pasta?

'Our Macaroni Pasta' with pasta made of clear gelatin mixed with ham, truffle foam and grated Parmesan.

Adding whipped cream from an iSi canister and using Microplane to grate Parmesan.

This 'Liquid Salad' of celery, olives and lettuce in a champagne flute was quite lovely and refreshing. It was served with 'Tomato Polvoron and Arbequina Oil Caviar' which was full of flavour.

Langoustine in 'suquet' and Cappucino 'suquet' (stew)

'Hare Consomme with Tarragon'

Chilled hare consomme served over an ice cube, topped with fresh orange peel and tarragon and sprayed with Armagnac. Rare with quite a strong "gamey" taste but unsurprisingly good.

Hare and Foie Gras Bonbon

Another unique and interesting dish.

Foamy and spicy Laksa

Pibil Squab (a young domestic pigeon)

Pandan coconut cream with mango sorbet and round mango jellies. It was light and refreshing and loaded with creamy coconut flavour. I loved this!

Cheesecake Cornet
Wow, look at that light and crisp red cone!

Chilli Peppers, Oil and Salt

Tarta Al Whisky
This time, we were invited to rub our hands with whisky! Yes, whisky.
Inhaling the aroma as we eat the deconstructed whisky tart.

Cotton of Cocoa and Mint

Accolades

Disfrutar

C/Villarroel, 163

Barcelona, Spain

+34.933.48.68.96

SaltVine, Surry Hills NSW

2019-04-04T12:50:00.000+11:00

One of the reasons I chose to dine at Salt Vine was its proximity to The Entertainment Quarter where I would later watch Shakespeare's Macbeth at the Pop-up Globe. The other reason being The Fork (formerly Dimmi) was offering a special promotion: 50% discount off the total food bill. I thought, why not but honestly, I wasn't expecting to be wowed dining at Salt Vine. The dishes caught me by surprise. The food was amazing and the portions were generous. I was very impressed by the quality and its delicate blend of Middle Eastern flavours. The Baklava Dessert was delightfully enjoyable. Its crispy pastry blended really well with the pistachio ice cream however, it took a long time to arrive.

Grape Leaves

Braised rice, fennel, radish, tomato, herbs and pine nuts.

Arnabeet

Fried cauliflower, tahini, preserved lemon, apricot golden raisin chutney, almond and coriander

Syrian String Cheese Cigar

Crispy pastry, string cheese, nigella seeds, coriander, tomato harissa

Charred Eggplant

Chargrilled eggplant, roast peppers, pistachio, cumin and pickled cucumber

Chargrilled Lamb Shoulder

Spiced slow cooked lamb and roast onion labneh

Samkhe Harra

Chargrilled barramundi, tahini dressing, walnut butter, pickled chilli and coriander.

Baklava Ice Cream
Pistachio ice cream, baklava, barberry and nuts

SaltVine

535 Crown Street, Surry Hills NSW

(02) 8937.2191

Bairro Portuguese Food and Wine Festival, Petersham NSW, Australia

2019-03-25T14:13:00.003+11:00

The annual Bairro Potuguese Food and Wine Fair was recently held in Petersham, otherwise known as Sydney's 'Little Portugal'. It was the first time I've attended this festival and it reminded me so much of the times I spent in Lisbon and I miss it. Besides missing Portugal, there's one thing I simply cannot miss whenever I visit Petersham, and that is the Pastel de Natas or custard tarts from Sweet Belem. This place has the best Portuguese custard tarts in Sydney. A bite of this is like a slice of heaven, it's absolutely divine. But it is not just the natas that are delicious here, their Queijadas either in orange or cinnamon are amazing as well. You cannot go to Petersham without having some of them.

Portuguese national costume varies region to region. Some are rich and colourful while others are modest dresses with kerchiefs.

The ever colourful Barcelos Rooster (refer to the first photo) is a national symbol of Portugal which symbolises integrity and honour.

Adobo seasoning mix comes in many flavours like cumin, bitter orange, coriander and even saffron. Did you know that the word 'adobo' originated from the Spanish word 'adobar' meaning marinade?

Malasadas are famous Portuguese doughnuts but without the hole. They are deep-fried then coated with granulated sugar and boy, oh boy they tasted amazing!

The aroma of grilled sardines immediately transported me back to Portugal.

These Pastel de Nata were absolutely delicious and heavenly.

Molotof is a Portuguese meringue. It has a pillowy soft texture and tastes very, very sweet.

Cinnamon and Orange Queijadas. They are small but quite filling.

Nothing beats the smell of freshly baked Pastel de Natas straight out of the oven.

I cannot stress enough how delicious Portuguese custard tarts are, have you tried them?

These paellas will tantalise your tastebuds. Everyone loved it.

Who doesn't love a good churro dipped in chocolate?

Sardines are a staple in Portuguese cuisine and culture.

Watching this flamenco show has brought me straight back to Seville (Spain). It was in Seville that I first got a taste of Flamenco. I watched in awe as these dancers in colourful costumes, fans and castanets stomped and clapped with grace and harmony.

A diatonic accordion in Portuguese is simply called 'concertina'.

Sweet Belem Cake Boutique
35 New Canterbury Road, Petersham NSW

Eel Festival, Rosehill, NSW

2019-03-19T11:14:00.001+11:00

I love festivals, who doesn't? I like celebrating diversity and the spirit of harmony. Festivals are a great way to meet and interact with people, share traditions and learn from each other. Festivals are a fun part of life as well as it is important.

Eel Festival is an annual festival held in Elizabeth Farm in Parramatta, in Western Sydney. For thousands of years, in the area of modern-day Parramatta lived the Darug, specifically the Burramattagal people, who lived close to the Parramatta River where they caught fish, eels and other foods to eat. When it's Eel season, they would come together to feast and partake in storytelling.

I have long been wanting to attend this festival and only got that chance recently. This event was a great opportunity to learn more about the Aboriginal culture, its history and its food. As a travelling foodie, I've always been fascinated with unique and unusual foods and I'm lucky enough to have been exposed to many new taste experiences. During the event, we learned about bush tucker or bush food, these are native food that has been consumed by Indigenous Australians for thousand of years.

Native flowers used for culinary and medicinal purposes such as lilli pilli, banksia, flowering gum, bottlebrushes and spider flower. According to the Australian Native Food and Botanicals, there are more than 6,500 native food species in Australia and this was my chance to try some of them.

The Eel

Fred showed us how to prepare and cook an eel in the traditional Aboriginal way.

An eel getting cut, wrapped in paperbark, tied with leaves and grilled.

You must dampen the paperbark with water before wrapping in the eel.

Indigenous inspired sweet and savoury canapes made with natives herbs and spices.

Lilli Pilli Cordial

Vegetarian Frittata with Warrigal Greens

Native Rosella Flower Jam Drop Biscuits

Wild Lime Coconut Crumble

Kakadu Plum and Kangaroo Tarts

Wattle seed ANZAC biscuits, Lilli Pilli and Lime Finger Jams

These bright pink berries are called lilli pilli and are almost the size of a pea.

The fruit is edible but it has a tart taste. However, they're wonderful made into sauce, jams or chutneys.

Lemon myrtle is a small native tree. Crushing its leaves will give off a strong lemon scent. It's great for cooking and can be used as a substitute for lemon, lime or lemongrass.

Aniseed myrtle tree is a rare rainforest tree. The leaves has a distinct subtle liquorice taste to it and is often used in desserts and jams to add flavour.

The didgeridoo is a wind instrument that produces deep sound when blown into.

A boomerang has many uses, mainly as a hunting weapon, meat carver, digging stick and even as a musical instrument.

You can make your own boomerang to take home.

Elizabeth Farm House

Performers doing the kangaroo and emu bush dance.

Did you know that kangaroos and emus can only move forward but never backward.

So tell me readers, do you love going to festivals?

Elizabeth Farm

70 Alice Street, Rosehill. NSW

Fred's Bush Tucker

Bo.lan, Bangkok, Thailand

2019-03-12T14:19:00.001+11:00

Bo.lan is a clever combination of two chef's names, Thai-native Duangporn "Bo" Songvisava (Asia's Best Female Chef 2013) and Australian-born Dylan "Lan" James, the power couple behind one of the hottest restaurants in Bangkok. Both met each other while working at David Thompson's Nahm in London.

Bo.lan is exotic, exquisite, sophisticated and complex but it is not for everyone. You either love it or you hate it. The dishes are very spicy and not over-sweetened to cater to tourists because Bo.lan is about authentic traditional Thai food. If you don't like spicy food it doesn't necessarily mean the food is bad, it is just not your cup of tea. Not everyone will appreciate and understand but just try remember to keep an open mind if you are trying new cuisines.

In Bo.lan, they only use organic and locally sourced ingredients. Furthermore, almost everything is made entirely from scratch including the curry paste. They don't use blender, nor can they puree or juice it. According to Bo, the proper way to make curry paste is to pound it. This way, it weaves all the flavours together and makes food taste even better. In Bo.lan they serve you the dishes all at once, because that is how authentic Thai cuisine is ought to be eaten.

I was excited and curious to try Bo.lan. I couldn't wait to explore and try new flavours. Did I like it? Of course! Not only was it delicious, it livens the palate as well. Even our 14-year-old enjoyed it as much as we did, although this wasn't his first time to be introduced to spicy foods. It was indeed a different and special kind of dining experience.
Aroi-mak-mak!

The Tasting Menu

Squid Salad with Salted Duck Egg and Chilli Dressing

Clear Soup of Minced Prawn, Pork and Young Coconut

Salad of Grilled Pork Neck and Longan

Southern Style Seafood Curry with Local Herbs

Stir-fried Water Bamboo Shoot with Prawn

Organic Gaba Rice

Tab Tim Grob- love those red rubbies in coconut milk.
This has to be my favourite Thai dessert of all time.

Bo.lan
24 Soi Sukhumvit 53

(Soi Pai dee ma dee) Klong Toey Nua
Wattana Bangkok
Thailand
+66 (2) 260.2962

Nai Mong Hoi Thod's Oyster Omelette and Yaowarat (Bangkok's Chinatown)

2019-02-27T14:33:00.001+11:00

Traffic in Bangkok can be a nightmare and even more so in popular areas like Yaowarat, also known as Chinatown. Despite that, no traffic congestion was ever going to stop me from having the amazing crispy fried Oyster Omelette in Chinatown that David Thompson's been raving about on his "Thai Street Food" TV series. I was very excited to try.

Nai Mong Hoi Thod, an unassuming shophouse in Bangkok's Chinatown is famed for their killer Oyster Omelette. I swear it is the most delicious oyster omelette I've ever had and it's to die for. For a mere 70 baht (as of 2017), you can have it either with oyster or mussels.

Arriving at Nai Mong Hoi Thod. It can be a bit difficult to find so just remember this signage in front of the shop.

Recommended by no less than the master chef of Thai cuisine, Australian Chef David Thompson.

Mr. Wong has been serving these fried oysters for 30 years.

Smokey, fresh and unbelievably delicious. Aroi-mak-mak!

Bangkok is a city populated with good eats and here in Yaowarat is where you'll find some of the best street foods in Bangkok. You'll find all kinds of strange and wonderful goods here.

An ingredient you often see in expensive Chinese restaurants, sea cucumbers. It is usually braised with abalone, black seaweed and broccoli. Any Chinese dish with sea cucumbers in it is usually priced dearer.

You can have these pickled tiny fresh crabs with Som Tam also known as Thai Green Papaya Salad.

Chinese buns in different colour and sizes.

Sweet rice cakes and fried vegetable buns or "tsai bao".

A bird's nest soup stall.

Here in Yaowarat you'll find a fantastic lineup of Thai street food.

One of the dishes you must try is this hot dessert called sesame balls in sweet ginger soup.

This was one of the reasons why we went to Yaowarat.
I love that strong flavour of ginger. It was refreshing and wonderfully delicious.

Chinese-style bua loy nam khing

Tofu Pudding in Sweet Ginger Soup.

Colourful neon signs are a standard feature in any Chinatown in the world.

Nai Mong Hoi Thod
539 Thanon Phlap Phla Chai,
Bangkok

Momofuku Seiobo, Pyrmont, NSW, Australia

2019-02-25T13:32:00.000+11:00

Hi readers and fellow foodies,

Life has been so busy lately that I haven't had time to update my blog. "Life often gets in the way of blogging", I often hear many bloggers say. Thing is, I just love doing what I'm doing so here I am back with my first post for this year.

It was a lovely December evening and we were booked at Momofuku Seiobo to celebrate a very special 16th birthday. Executive Chef Paul Carmichael from Barbados, made a bold move to incorporate Caribbean with a hint of Asian flavours and it paid off. The result was a dining experience of unbelievably delicious food and exquisite presentation. We were all completely blown away. We Sydneysiders are lucky enough to have the only hatted restaurant that serves Caribbean-inspired cuisine in our city.

I have eaten in so many different places around the world and I would regard having a meal at this restaurant as one of the most impressive experiences. Chef Carmichael even took a few minutes out of his busy kitchen by coming out for a chat and a photo. He's pretty cool. There's only one word to describe our recent experience here- Wow!

Mofongo- plantain, garlic, chicharrones

Cou Cou- corn, okra, sterling caviar

Green Banana, creole, mullet roe

Rundown- sea urchin, coconut, allspice

Ducana- sweet potato, currants, caribbean x.o.

Mango and prawn

Crab, rice, curry

Roja Vieja- wagyu brisket, olive, pasteles

Wagyu short rib with marble score 9+, the highest level of marble score in Australia.

A melt-in-your-mouth texture that you'll never forget!

Preview of what's to come.

Marron and coconut bakes

Coconut bakes

Dulce de leche and roselle

Pumpkin, burnt coconut, seeds

Rum cake, cassava pone, guinness cake

Complimentary birthday cake

A Gift from Momofuku Seiobo

There's nothing like a great fireworks display in Darling Harbour to kick off this magical December evening.

Momofuku Seiobo
80 Pyrmont Street,
Level G,
Sydney NSW

PERU- Where To Eat, What To See, What To Do in Cusco (Part 2)- Morena Peruvian Kitchen and Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)

2018-11-21T18:05:00.000+11:00

"Vinicunca" translates to seven-coloured mountain. The colours are due to mineral deposits over the centuries. Hiking the colourful Rainbow Mountain or Vinicunca in Peru is a dream for many people but never take its altitude lightly, be sure you are prepared for travelling to high altitudes or this may completely ruin your vacation. A trek at 5,200 metres is not a joke. To give you an idea, Mt Everest base camp is at 5,389 metres. Some people will begin to feel symptoms of altitude sickness at about 2,400 metres and Rainbow Mountain is more than double that.

On the day of our hike, we had to wake up at 2:00am and leave Cusco at 3:00am. That lack of sleep coupled with hunger made it worse for me as the altitude increased. Alas, I started having bad headaches and nausea after the hike just when we were about to have lunch at 2pm. It was a horrible experience and something you will never understand until you experience it yourself. Although I still consider myself lucky that I was able to make it to the top and back.

This is Martin, a 16-year-old local horseman who did a fair job of looking after me and making sure I was comfortable during the trek.

I knew this was going to be gruelling so my family and I decided to hop on the horses available for rent for the entire way up and down, except on certain areas of the trek that are steep, we needed to get off and walk. It was a long, excruciating 6 kilometre hike to reach the top of the Rainbow Mountains. Even with the help of the caballo (horse), I was still exhausted.

Alapacas grazing along the valley.

Here's a money saving tip if you want to join a day trip to the Rainbow Mountains. Avoid buying your tickets online, instead purchase your tickets in Cusco as soon as you arrive. There are many travel agency offices around Plaza de Armas that charge only a fraction of the cost advertised online.

I made it!

Morena in Cusco is a wonderful place to enjoy a well deserved meal after that long difficult hike we had earlier to Rainbow Mountain. We spent our last meal in Cusco here and so glad we did. Service was outstanding from the moment we walked in. The place is bright and cheery with Peruvian music playing on the background giving a welcoming, pleasant and relaxed atmosphere. They serve exquisite Peruvian-Asian fusion dishes such as "chaufa" (chaofan in Mandarin) which was exploding with flavours and tasted vibrant as it looks. Dishes were well presented and tasted just as spectacular. We all left extremely satisfied and full.

Inka Kola is a hugely popular drink in Peru created by using lemon verbena. It smells and tastes slightly like bubblegum.

Andino

Succulent pieces of pork belly served with Andean corn and native potatoes. Topped with traditional Andean chilli herb and peanut sauce (uchucuta).

Pancetta de Cardo
12-hour slow-cooked pork belly over braised Andean corn (choclo) and cheese in a creamy herb sauce. Served with tacu tacu (pan fried rice and beans) and topped with fresh herbs and huacatay (Peruvian black mint).

Aeropuerto

A classic Lima dish. It is a Peruvian-style Chinese fried rice or chaufa (chaofan in Mandarin) with chicken breast, pork belly, fresh prawns, noodles and Chinese vegetables.

Morena Peruvian Kitchen
348-B Calle Plateros, Cusco, Peru

PERU- Where To Eat, What To See, What To Do in Cusco (Part 1)- Chicha (Por Gaston Acurio)

2018-10-31T17:40:00.002+11:00

Cusco quite literally took my breath away. Situated 3,400 metres up in the Andes Mountains of Peru, this city was the capital of the Inca Empire during the 13th to16th centuries. Cusco is laid out in the shape of a puma which symbolises power and strength, its head being Sacsayhuaman and the body formed by the Tulumayo and Huatanay Rivers.

Altitude sickness is a problem that many travellers have to cope with in Cusco. Usually, this starts affecting people at 2,438 metres or higher (Machu Picchu is at 2,430 metres). First of all, altitude sickness is something you cannot predict. It can affect anybody and it does not discriminate. The best way to prevent altitude sickness is to acclimate at a lower altitude and slowly move up. It is also important to stay hydrated. We took Diamox 24 hours before arriving and have been taking it until our last day in La Paz, Bolivia which has an elevation of 3,640 metres. Yet, I still felt breathless, more so when we reached the Rainbow Mountains (Vinicunca) which is located at a whopping 5,200 metres above sea level. *Please consult your doctor before taking Diamox.

Chewing coca leaves or drinking coca tea are helpful in relieving mild altitude sickness. Be aware that coca leaf is the raw material used to manufacture the drug cocaine but this is absolutely legal in Peru.

Cusco is small and easy to get around. It is a city like no other, so vibrant, full of life and filled with visitors from all over the world. This friendly city is packed with cultural sights, impressive monuments and beautiful churches at every corner. I would recommend that you explore the area by foot but wear comfortable shoes because the streets can be hilly and uneven.

A statue of Inca King Pacachuti, the 9th ruler of the Kingdom of Cusco right in the middle of Plaza de Armas..

Cusco is a charming city with unspoiled colonial architecture and plenty of wonderful restaurants. Chicha, one of Cusco's most popular restaurants is part of the celebrated Astrid & Gaston restaurant group in Peru. If you are unable to book yourself a table at Astrid & Gaston in Lima, having a meal at Chicha is another way to experience Gaston Acurio's culinary greatness in a different way. I would suggest making reservations in advance because it tends to fill up quickly.

Chicha is an upscale restaurant located across Plaza el Regocijo on the second floor of a building. The atmosphere is cosy with attractive local decors. Food was delectable with a contemporary twist on classical Peruvian dishes while retaining its original flavours. Dishes were rich, hearty and delicious and most came in large portions.

Que Tal Mango (mango, passionfruit and banana)

Chicha de Jora (white corn)

Chicha Morada (purple corn)

Chicha appetiser

Pork Crackling, Beef Stir Fry, Tequeno, Beef Heart Anticucho, Stuffed Potato and Sauces

Purple Corn Bread, Quinoa Bread Stick and Red Pepper Butter

Pork Super Adobo- Pork Nape, Ribs and Cheeks, Rocoto and Chuta Local Bread

Atomatada Lengua (beef tongue) with Arracacha Puree, Rocoto and Hierbabuena Sarza

Alpaca Curry- Colca Valley's Alpaca served with Quinoa and Season Fruit

Globo de Chocolate

This chocolate globe is not only impressive but tasted fantastic as well.

A mind blowing dessert to end an excellent meal.

Alfajores

Prickly pears also known as cactus fruits can be sliced up to eat or made into juice. They are also commonly used in jams and candies.

San Pedro Market is also known as the Shaman's Market.

Peruvian Jelly

Wachuma is a scared cactus known for having special healing powers and a source of protection from evil spirits and bad luck.

Queso

Big loaves of bread bigger than my face.

Some cultures believe that photography can steal your soul away. I asked this cholita permission to snap a photo and she expressed willingness but buried her face in her hand.

Peru grows more than 55 varieties of corn. It is dried, seasoned and can be eaten as a snack.

Chica por Gaston Acurio

Plaza Regocijo 261, Cusco, Peru

+51 84 240520

Cervejaria Ramiro, Lisbon, Portugal

2018-10-02T15:06:00.002+10:00

Upon arriving in Lisbon after a long and tiring flight, one of our main priorities was to find somewhere to eat. We decided to take a risk and go to Cervejaria Ramiro, which is arguably one of the best restaurants in the city. Naturally, its reputation comes with unbelievably long queues which can stretch up to two hours long.

Luckily for us, we managed to get in after waiting only twenty minutes. We were greeted by a friendly waiter who showed us to our table and handed us with our menu on an iPad. There was a wide variety of seafood, and as a seafood lover, I was overwhelmed by all the choices.

The first dishes to come were the garlic prawns and garlic clams, which both tasted wonderful with garlic bread. Then arrived the barnacles, which was a bit sweet despite their unappealing appearance. Things started to get messy as the scarlet prawns were brought to our table, followed by the spider crab with roe. We were forced to use our hands, and within minutes sauce and roe were splattered all over the table. Do not make the same mistake as me and bring a white shirt.

Overall Ramiro is a must-go restaurant if you are ever travelling to Lisbon. Its high-quality food and reputation ensure that it is loved by both locals and tourists alike.

Toasted buttered bread

This was one order but believe me, you'll end up ordering more.

Garlic Prawns in Olive Oil

Now this is something you don't get to see everyday. Do you know what these weird looking shelled creatures are called? These are gooseneck barnacles and are considered a rare and wonderful delicacy in Spain and Portugal. We had our first taste of barnacles here in Ramiro. They are far from appetising at first glance but the flesh is actually slightly sweet and the texture is like a combination of clams and lobsters. The best way to eat them is to boil them. How do you eat them? You simply twist off the claw and pull the inner flesh out of its shell. Easy peasy!

Garlic Clams

Giant Scarlett Prawns, Tiger Prawns

Look at its size!

Spider crab full of roe.

There are more than a dozen reasons why I love Lisbon and you will too.

Cervejaria Ramiro

Av. Almirante Reis nº1 - H,
1150-007 Lisboa, Portugal

Bistro Guggenheim and The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain

2018-09-20T14:45:00.001+10:00

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear Bilbao? Is it pintxos? The warm and welcoming Basque people or is it the Guggenheim Museum? You can't really visit Bilbao without seeing the Guggenheim Museum. The impact of this building has forever changed the way the world thinks about Bilbao, a struggling industrial town that is now a cultural metropolis. Built in limestone, glass and titanium in the shape of a bouquet of fish tails, this colossal structure was designed by Frank Ghery especially for Bilbao. It is incredible to say the least.

The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is featured in Dan Brown's Robert Langdon mysteries series, Origin. Dan Brown's books are always about intriguing subjects that stimulate further discussion. You'll be at the edge of your seat reading this brilliant book and I suggest you read it before you visit Bilbao.

Jeff Koons' "Tulips"

A giant bouquet of multi-coloured balloon tulips.

"Maman" (spider) by Louise Bourgeois

"Puppy" covered in flowers by Jeff Koon located in Plaza Aguirre outside the museum.

left photo- Fog Sculpture by Fujiko Nakaya

right photo- La Salve Bridge by Daniel Buren and Tall Tree & The Eye by Anish Kapoor

We dined at Bistro Guggenheim after visiting the Guggenheim Museum. It has a nice funky interior fitting for a modern museum. The dishes were fantastic, portions were generous and were thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Dining inside one of the greatest buildings of our time with fantastic views of River Nervion made it even more special (request for a table near the window).

We opted for the starter, main, dessert, water and wine (yes, they gave us a bottle!). It was an excellent meal from start to finish and definitely value for money. A rare find in a popular touristy area.

Spider Crab Terrine

Cod Stew and King Prawns

Roasted and Deboned Lamb

Tiramisu

Idiazabal Cheesecake

Petit Fours

Bistro Guggenheim Bilbao

Avda. Abandoibarra n2

48009, Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain

+34 944 239 333

Where to Eat Txuleton in Bilbao? Berton, Bilbao, Spain

2018-09-13T19:26:00.002+10:00

When I travel, I always take heaps of pictures. If you're anything like me, you'll post and share them on Facebook. It's an obsession, I mean "passion". I always have fond memories of looking back at these photos particularly of food. It wasn't really just about how I enjoyed the meal, it was something deeper. Eating my way around the world allows me to experience and learn more about people, culture and food. It is a never-ending source of learning and inspiration.

Basque Country in Northern Spain is known for its unique culture, language and cuisine which differ notably from the rest of Spain. This region's cuisine certainly packs a culinary punch and it's becoming more famous worldwide.

Txuleton is what you call a bone-in ribeye steak in Basque and it is an absolute must-try when visiting the region. These beef from old cows are slowly cooked on a wood-fire grill and the result is juicy, tender steaks with a wonderful intense flavour.

Berton is one of the best places to try these exceptionally tasty steaks with amazing pintxos and apple cider.

This is the classic "Gilda". A simple assembly of pepper, olive and anchovy pierced together by a toothpick. It is perhaps the most famous of all pintxos. It was named in honour of Rita Hayworth's most famous film role.

Here's another hidden food gem from the Basque Country, it is the Basque Cider which is produced using apples that are grown in the Basque Country.

This is how apple cider is poured!

Put your steak on the grill and add salt. I'll say it again- exceptionally tasty!

One of the things I like about Bilbao is its mix of old and new architecture. What used to be an old rusty industrial city is now transformed into a sleek and modern city while maintaining its old Basque spirit.

Keeping the old but adding something new with a touch of Philippe Starck, that's Azkuna Zentroa in Bilbao (below). What was once a neglected wine storage building has been converted into a leisure and cultural centre. There are shops, cafes, library, cinemas and a huge open space on the ground level with 43 stunning pillars supporting the 3 magnificent buildings of Azukna Zentroa. It's a place skipped by many tourists but is a must-see if you're a fan of architecture, glad I went.

Just a stone's throw away from Azkuna Zentroa is the dazzling multifaceted block of glass and steel structure that houses Basque's new Health Department Headquarters. The building is truly an architecture and engineering marvel. It is quite simply, strikingly beautiful.

Berton

Jardines Kalea, 11, Bilbao, Spain

944 16 70 35

LAOS- Cool Things To Do In Luang Prabang. Tamarind Restaurant, Tak Bat Ceremony and Kuang Si Falls

2018-09-04T17:02:00.001+10:00

My son, ever since he was 15 months old has always been willing to try anything new. I tried to establish good eating habits with him early on which means sugary drinks and junk food were never introduced in hopes he'll be forced to eat more fruits and vegetables. Hence, eating out and travelling with him was never an issue. He can pretty much eat anything.

My family loves Lao cuisine and have tried it many times in Sydney but being in Luang Prabang meant that we had the opportunity to delve a little deeper into its cuisine. With plenty of wonderful Lao restaurants in Luang Prabang, which one should you try? If you are into exploring the more exotic and authentic flavours of Lao cuisine then go for Tamarind Restaurant, but don't just show up and expect to get a table though, the restaurant is always crowded so a reservation is certainly a must, especially at dinner time.

Many of Tamarind Restaurant's dishes contain complex flavours and exotic ingredients that tasted incredibly delicious. We thoroughly enjoyed every single dish. These were some of the best Lao dishes I've had the pleasure of tasting and made me wish I was back in Luang Prabang again.

Infused Lao Lao Shot

Stir Fried Young Pumpkin with Kaffir Lime and Ginger.

Platter of Lao Specialties with Sticky Rice
Luang Prabang Sausage, Dips, Relishes (Jeow), Kai Pen (river weed), Lao Beef Jerky

Chunky Bamboo Shoot and Vegetable Soup

Stuffed Lemongrass (Oua Si Khai)
Fragrant lemongrass stuffed with chicken, kaffir lime and coriander with lime peanut dipping sauce.

Fish in Banana Leaf (Lok Pa)
Fish in a delicate dill and basil sauce, steamed in a banana leaf parcel.

Purple Sticky Rice Dessert in Coconut Milk and Tamarind Sauce

Lemongrass Tea

Lao Peanut Brittle
Coffee and Lemongrass Tea

Luang Prabang is the perfect place to see one of the most sacred Lao traditions, the Alms Giving Ceremony known as "Tak Bat", a procession with takes back to the 14th century. Every morning at sunrise people line the streets of Luang Prabang. We set out early at 5:30 am to see the monks come down the main street to receive alms. Do not disrupt the procession to get a selfie and observe this ritual in silence. Just keep your distance, zoom your lenses if you need to, as long as you don't stand in their way and be respectful. It was a humbling experience and worth getting up early for. Do not miss this beautiful ancient ceremony.

As part of the tradition, one must leave a small amount of rice on the whitewashed walls of a temple after the "tak bat" ceremony.

After observing the ceremony we went back to our hotel for breakfast. We stayed at Lotus Villa located in the central part of Luang Prabang and situated right next to where the Alms Giving Ceremony happens every morning. The daily breakfast was excellent with lots of options, you can choose anything you want from the menu as long as you finish what you order. You get to relax and enjoy this delicious breakfast at their outdoor terrace with lovely views of its charming little garden.

Mango and Sticky Rice

Lao Khao Soi is Luang Prabang's version of khao soi. It is entirely different from the northern Thai khao soi which is coconut curry based and tasted slightly similar to laksa. Lao khao soi has a light, fragrant broth served with rice noodles and topped with minced pork, tomato, fermented soybeans and chilli.

On our second day in Luang Prabang we explored a little further afield and hired a local taxi out to Kuang Si Falls. It's a stunning three-tiered waterfall with the opportunity for swimming. Kuang Si Falls is so beautiful where pale turquoise waters cascade over limestone formations. It's well worth the journey.

Tamarind Restaurant and Cooking SchoolAt Ban Vat Sene, Luang Prabang
(071)213128
info@tamarindlaos.com
*bookings essential

Lotus Villa Boutique Hotel
15, Ban Phone Heuang,
Unit 3, Kounxoa Road, Luang Prabang, Laos
+856 71-255050

Indian Accent, New Delhi

2018-08-31T20:41:00.002+10:00

Celebrated my son's birthday in Delhi, in true Indian style. We booked a table at Indian Accent, the No.1 Restaurant in India and currently ranking 30th in The World's Best Restaurants List 2018.

Rush hour traffic in Delhi is a nightmare and we were worried about getting late. So what is the fastest way to get around New Delhi during peak hours? Take the auto rickshaw and pray to arrive in our destination in one piece! We hailed an auto rickshaw and bargained then hopped on to have a bumpy ride. Gas mask and ear protection not included! It was extremely noisy because of the excessive honking and engine noise but was crazy fun. The restaurant was located in Friends Colony, one of Delhi's most affluent and posh neighbourhoods and can be a bit difficult to find. Our driver got lost, the people trying to help were pointing left, right and centre for directions which made it more confusing. We finally managed to direct him using GPS and we were able arrive just in time.
(Note: Indian Accent has moved to The Lodhi, New Delhi)

This beautiful restaurant exudes elegance and class. It was like stepping into a different world- an oasis of calm amidst the chaos in Delhi. We opted for the non-vegetarian Chef's Tasting Menu which was fabulous. Every dish placed in front of us was beautifully executed and decadent. Every small bite was delicately balanced in texture, flavour and colour, just what we expected. We were absolutely delighted when the waitstaff offered us second helpings of "kulchas" (a Punjabi variation of naan) and asked which stuffing we enjoyed most. I particularly liked the Butter Chicken and Cheese. The service was impeccable and matched the high quality of the food. This dinner was an excellent finale to our trip.

Masala Cocktail

Pumpkin Soup
The taste reminded me of Thai Panang curry.

Blue Cheese Naan with Coconut and Cashew

Burrata Papdi Chaat, Tamatar Chutney

Pulled Pork Phulka Taco

Tandoori Bacon Prawns, Wasabi Malai

Baked Mutton Aloo Chila, Bone Marrow Curry

Indian Accent Kulfi Sorbet (palate cleanser)

We were served with delicious unlimited kulchas in different stuffings:
Chilli Duck Naan
Truffle and Cheese
Butter Chicken and Cheese
Pulled Pork Naan

Black Dairy Dal
Wassabi and Cucumber Raita

Scallop Masala, Malwani Dry Shrimp Pulao, Kokum Curry

It's not a marshmallow and most definitely not a palate cleanser.

Banana and Jaggery Sticky Cake

Haji Ali Inspired Apple Custard Cream

Housemade Whisky Mulberry Ice Cream

Petits Fours featuring Indian Sweets.
Pomegranate Spices Rock Salt
Tamarind
Dried Mango
Almond, Jaggery, Rose

This minaret represents the beginning of Muslim rule in India. Built after the defeat of Delhi's last Hindu kingdom in 1193, Qutub Minar stands 73 metre high and holds the record for being the world's tallest brick minaret.

Humayun's tomb in Delhi may not be as popular as the Taj Mahal in Agra, but this was the very first garden-tomb constructed on the Indian subcontinent. It is the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayun and it was because of Emperor Humayun that Persian artists, architects, sculptors and other skilled men were brought to India. This structure is one of the most beautiful examples of Mughal architecture. It is quite impressive and I would highly recommend that you see it when you visit Delhi.

Indian Accent, New Delhi

The Lodhi, Lodhi Road, New Delhi

+91 9871117968

Burger Point, Marsden Park, NSW

2018-08-22T12:47:00.002+10:00

I recently stumbled upon a photo of an ube waffle topped with ice cream in an Instagram post and the image of this waffle lingered in my mind. I love everything with ube in it and this is one I just want to have! Ube (pronounced oo-beh) also known as "purple yam" is a Philippine tuber known for its vivid violet colour and often used in sweets. Taro or gabi which has a lighter colour is often compared to it but Filipinos use taro mostly in savoury dishes.

Burger Point, located just across Ikea in Marden Park is a place that serves this awesome ube dish. It's been years since I ventured to an Ikea and this ube dish certainly made me go to the blue box as well as giving a good excuse to try the ube waffle. They also serve an ube milk shake which tasted wonderful and the kumara fries which were cooked perfectly, even better than the ones I had elsewhere. Their Chick N' Waffles is a definite must have. It's so good that it makes you want to have another helping. Burger Point is a must go in Sydney's North West.

Ube Waffles

This dish was supposed to come with honey cashews but they run out and I insisted they still serve the waffles sans cashew. Still delicious!

Ube, my childhood favourite.

I'm so mesmerised by that bright violet colour.

Kumara - fried just right

Chick N' Waffles
Spicy southern fried chicken, double maple bacon, maplenaise, house pickles, American cheese, trio-cheese and bacon waffle.

Marvin Glaze

Old School

Ube Shake

Burger Point
Home Hub, 24/9 Hollinsworth Road, Marsden Park, NSW

Borough Market, London

2018-08-16T17:58:00.001+10:00

Conveniently situated near the London Bridge, Borough Market is London's most renowned and oldest food market. If you love food this place absolutely needs to be in your London must-do list and even if you're not a food enthusiast, this place is an interesting market to visit and look around. I love the vibe here and it certainly lives up to its reputation for having the best quality produce and being a reliable dining destination for food lovers. There are stalls upon stalls of an incredible selection of fresh produce and goodies beautifully displayed. There's just so much to see and sample, the range is fantastic and you'll be spoilt for choice. Better come hungry.

Colourful and inviting vegetable display.

Freshly-squeezed vegetable and fruit juices.

Cocktails

Huge pans of paella.

Big and beautiful scarlet prawns.

A stunning display of fresh seafood.

The smoked salmon pate was so good. I really enjoyed having this.

Contrasting colours, flavours and shapes.

Egypt's much-loved street food.

Koshari is an Egyptian dish originally made in the 19th century. It is a healthy mix of rice, macaroni and lentils topped with spiced tomato sauce, garlic vinegar and sprinkled with chickpeas and crispy fried onions.

Delicious and filling.

Bureka is probably Israel's most popular snack. These handmade filos produce crispy and flaky parcels traditionally filled with spinach, feta, eggplant and meat. It is usually served with a poached egg, tahini or humus.

Raclette is one of the yummy highlights of my trip to London. Raclette cheese originated in the Alpine regions of Switzerland, dates back to the 13th century. It is one of the Swiss' best loved national dishes and has also become very popular in other European countries like France and Germany.

What is a traditional Raclette dish? This semi-hard cow's milk cheese is melted in open fire or in this case, by a special machine and scraped onto a plate of boiled or roasted potatoes, gherkins and pickled onions. It's a pretty simple dish but oozing with hot yumminess!

No, this is not the London Bridge but rather the Tower Bridge, a mistake tourists often make. This majestic structure is a combined bascule and suspension bridge built in 1886–1894. It has become an iconic symbol of London and is one of many must-see landmarks of the city.

Cloud Eggs- A Taste of Heaven

2018-08-11T17:22:00.000+10:00

The origin of "cloud eggs" goes way back to 17th century France to an old recipe called Oeufs à la Neige (eggs in snow). These "eggs in clouds" are gorgeously photogenic and will make everday breakfasts fun and worth waking up to. They are light and fluffy and are loaded with tons of flavour. What's more, they are so easy to make and will surely delight your guests at the table.

Ingredients:

4 eggs
1/4 cup bacon, chopped
1/4 cup chives, chopped
1/4 feta cheese, crumbled
salt and pepper

Method:

Pre-heat oven to 230C.
Line a large baking sheet with non-stick baking paper.

Separate the egg whites from the egg yolks. Put the egg whites in a medium bowl and the egg yolks in small individual bowls.

Whip the egg whites until stiff peaks form.

Gently fold in the chives and bacon.

Scoop 4 mounds of the egg white mixture on the lined baking tray. Make a well in the centre of each cloud. Bake for 3 minutes.

Remove the clouds and place one egg yolk to each well. Bake for another 2-3 minutes or until yolks are set.

Sprinkle with cheese and season with salt and pepper.

Roca Moo, Barcelona, Spain

2018-08-03T12:18:00.000+10:00

The very reason I went back to Spain was because of the El Celler de Can Roca Documentary I watched some time ago. This restaurant was ranked Number 1 in The World's 50 Best Restaurant in 2013 & 2015. Unfortunately, every date and slot has already been booked out 6 months before our trip. Usually you have to book a year in advance but we were so eager to dine! As I was researching trying to find a way around it I found out that the Roca brothers also run another Michelin starred restaurant in Barcelona called Roca Moo and without hesitation I quickly booked a table.

We had the Joan Roca Tasting Menu and it was sensational. Three hours of amazing food and service, it more than fulfilled our high expectations. It left us wondering- if things were exceptional here how better could El Celler de Can Roca in Girona be?

(Top most photo) The butter spelling out the restaurant's name 'MOO' in three different colours and flavours- parsley, black pepper and lemon.
I've always like to sit at the bar where I can interact and watch these culinary geniuses at work.

Amuse Bouche

Barcelona Flower, Squid Sandwich, Mahon Cheese Fritter and Sobrasada, Spider Crab adnd Txakoli Bombon

Mandala

Mushroom Consome

We requested for a dish on the menu be swapped for The Golden Egg,

which is their signature dish. Inside that thin dome of golden colour lies an egg yolk. It was brilliant!

What a delicate beauty!

Red Shrimp "caldereta" Part 1

Red Shrimp "caldereta" Part 2
That shrimp head was a hit and my favourite of all. That shell was extremely thin and crunchy. I've never had shrimp head like that before.

Can you guess what ingredient this is?

This dish is called Mock Sardine and is actually a piece of slow cooked Iberico pork draped with skin of tiny fish on top and some puree.

"Callos" with Sea Cucumber

Striped Stingray

Catch of the Day "Suquet"

Suckling Lamb

Pigeon Ice Cream

Omm Perfume

The perfume that inspired this dessert dish. Fantastic!

Chef Jordi Roca developed this dessert based on this perfume. The smell was silky, light and fresh with scents of plum, jasmine, orange blossoms, roses, orange and tangerine skin, vanilla and red fruits.

Lo Blanc

Sweet and elegant petit fours to end our meal. We each had a set of four.

Roca Moo
Carrer del Rosselló, 265, 08008 Barcelona, Spain

+34 934 45 40 15

A Taste of Santiago de Chile in Less Than 24 Hours

2018-07-04T18:59:00.000+10:00

Santiago is a huge city with lots of greenery and beautiful colonial architecture as well as a booming street art and music scene. However it is the majestic snow-capped Andes mountains surrounding the city that truly made it more special and unique. Don't miss a visit to this lovely city when you travel to South America.

Above photo is of Catedral Metropolitana de Santiago which towers over the old-fashioned Plaza de Armas, the symbolic heart of Santiago since 1541.

At night, Plaza de Armas is buzzing and full of life.

Cerro Sta Lucia is a small hill in the centre of Santiago. Visitors are greeted with a gorgeous Neptune fountain surrounded by trees.

Did you know that Chile is the longest country in the world from north to south?

For foodies, Mercado Central must be on your must-visit list in Santiago. This is the place to go for fresh local Chilean seafood. We went there in the morning when all restaurants at the central area of the market were still closed but that was not what we came here for. We opted for the more authentic and less touristy food stalls and smaller restaurants around the perimeter of the market. They have similar menu at a fraction of the price and just as good.

Seafood soup with pandesal and salsa. Good things come when you least expect them. This soup is definitely a star-worthy dish.

Erizos (Sea Urchin, Onion, Coriander and Lemon Juice)

Pastel de Jaiba (Crab Pie in a dish) Santiago-style.

Calamares

Ceviche con Corvina (Chilean Sea Bass)

Abalone Casserole

Santiago's Mercado Central

Huge and colourful cakes sold in a bakery.

Papa Peruanita is a type of potato that has a distinctive bi-color skin. Peru is said to have over 4,000 types of potatoes. Purple Corn or Blue Corn is used to make chicha morada, a popular sweet Peruvian beverage.

Caihua or Slipper Gourd and Kiwano or Horned Melon

Pepino Dulce

Churros are a popular street food originated in Spain and adopted in various former Spanish colonies in Central and South America. These fresh and fabulously crunchy churros were absolutely delicious.

This famous cocktail called Pisco Sour originated from Peru is also considered a South American classic.

The street art here is gorgeous and it's everywhere! Part of the fun of travelling is taking the road less travelled and discover some hidden gems. The upscale neighbourhood of Bella Vista is one such gem, bursting with number of beautiful street murals and eye-popping graffiti. It is impossible not to be captivated by its funky vibe and seemingly endless open-air art.

If you are an adventurous eater like me and will not hesitate to try new flavors, textures and sensations, I recommend you try and experience Peumayen Ancestral Food which is also within the vicinity of Bella Vista.

For spectacular panoramic views of Santiago, head up to Cerro San Cristobal by cable car.

A lovely and serene statue of the Virgin Mary at the top of Cerro San Cristobal

and one of the seven vibrantly painted crosses along the path.

Yi Yi Restaurant
Mercado Central, San Pablo 943,
Local 105, Santiago Centro, Santiago