I had an absolutely sensational week in Sydney and Canberra last month, filled with beautiful friends, family and of course, food. Oh, ok, there was a bit of drink too.
I went down because late last year one of mum’s friends, Diane, who I am fortunate to also call my friend [after all, she has known me since I was 5!], was in town from Canada for her nephew’s wedding. I booked flights immediately! It was a fabulous few days.
The first day was catching up with a few other friends in Sydney, including fellow food blogger JJ from 84th and 3rd who I talk to often on twitter, and who I met in Adelaide in November at Eat.Drink.Blog3.
One of my cousins, and fellow foodie, had suggested I eat at Kitchen by Mike and the Grounds of Alexandria if I made it to Sydney. As I was staying with a girlfriend who conveniently lives in Alexandria, we had a couple of breakfasts there. YUMMO!
I’m not a butter on toast girl [unless there is vegemite involved, then you can bring it on!], but when I read on the menu at Kitchen by Mike that the butter was Pepe Saya I couldn’t resist. I didn’t actually have quite enough!
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The breakfast board at The Grounds of Alexandria. Poached egg, avocado, leg ham, tomato basil salsa, pesto, persian fetta, sourdough. Doesn’t look like a lot but it was an effort to eat it all. |
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Breakfast at Kitchen by Mike. Two huge field mushrooms, the most flavoursome tomatoes almost ever, bacon, egg, sourdough from Iggy’s and Pepe Saya butter. No effort to eat all this! |
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Some of the salts at Salt, Meats Cheese. Varieties included espresso, merlot, garlic, smoked, taragon, tomato, truffle, and about another 10-12 varieties |
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I cannot believe this was the first time I had done the stunning Bondi to Bronte walk. |
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These all made me feel at home 🙂 |
After Sydney was a couple of days in Canberra. Visiting relatives and catching up with friends, old and new. And a visit to the sensational Capital Region Farmer’s Markets. Such gorgeous produce. I will be back!
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Haloumi and pomegranate salad – recipe from blogger and friend Shirley of Rhubarb Whine |
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Part of dinner with goodies from a few local delis and the Capital Region Farmers Markets |
A highlight was spending a few hours with blogger and twitter friend Liz, from Bizzy Lizzy’s Good Things. She had made a stunning blueberry and banana cake for morning tea – normally I baulk at anything banana but I didn’t want to be rude, so I ate a piece, and nearly went back for seconds. SO GOOD! However the highlight of this visit [apart from spending time with Lizzy and meeting her hubby of course…] was the freakin’ awesome watermelon and vodka crush with pomegranate. I just helped myself to seconds of this. And maybe thirds. It’s on the menu for the next dinner party.
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Watermelon and vodka crush with pomegranate |
Awww shucks, thanks for mentioning my salad. It’s quite famous now, having made it to your blog 😉 x
It’s a GREAT salad. Making it again when we have guests on Sat night. they will love it 🙂
Mel, thank you for the very kind words and the shout out! It was such a pleasure to meet you and your Aunt. You’all come back now, ya hear! ; D
Hi Mel, So sorry I missed you during your Canberra visit. Would love to have caught up! Sounds like you had an action-packed few days!
It was great to see you and actually have a chat – conferences are always so hectic. Looks like an overall delicious trip 🙂