Monthly Archives: February 2012

February 21, 2012 · 10:20 pm

Barred by Melbourne restaurants

Movida_Frank_Camorra

MoVida

There’s something awfully naughtily gluttonous about eating tapas at MoVida. I’m a Sydneysider and this Spanish hot spot had long been on my Melbourne restaurant hit list. During a recent work trip I tore out of my hotel to get there early enough to score a seat before the hungry after-workers streamed in. I asked for a stool at the bar and was literally wedged into a corner. I didn’t complain. I didn’t care. I had my pew. And a ring-side view of the action.

Continue reading →

20 Comments

Filed under Restaurant Reviews

Tagged as , , , , , ,

February 8, 2012 · 6:22 pm

Boosting ‘Vitamin Me’ in Queensland

Botanical_Ark_Queensland_tropical_fruit

Botanical Ark's tropical treasure chest

I’m suffering from the post-holiday blues, a bad dose of ‘over it’ brought on by the damp Sydney summer, and a gnawing ache sparked by a tousle with the corporate treadmill and the growing reality that it will be another six months before i can luxuriate in annual leave. I need a shot of ‘Vitamin Me’. I know where to get it. It’s just getting there that’s the tricky part. Continue reading →

13 Comments

Filed under Gastronomic Travels

Tagged as , , , , , ,

February 5, 2012 · 6:40 pm

For the love of spuds

Potatoes

Freshly dug potatoes (istockphoto)

I love a good spud. I have done since I was a kid. Mashed potato was always a firm favourite. I would look forward to it so much – on the side of a casserole, or a Sunday roast lunch – that i’d be close to tears if it turned out to be lumpy.

If I could see it was a rush job when my mother was making it – because she was plating up six meals, getting five people to the table, and dealing with the last minute chaos of preparing a large family meal – I’d get fidgety and anxious. Continue reading →

16 Comments

Filed under Reflections

Tagged as , , , , , , ,