Monthly Archives: May 2013

Moving to South Yarra

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South Yarra

So Melbourne has a North & South side rivalry, with the North side of the river boasting the ‘hipster’ types in Fitzroy and Carlton areas while the Southern suburbs of Prahran & Toorak housing the ‘money’ types and is actually equivalent to the North side of Sydney. Luckily my place in South Yarra, technically South but in fact borders the two areas so luckily for me I’m from the right side of the tracks no matter who I speak to!

Just call me Bob

Just call me Bob

Explanation of the photo above:  I naively went to Ikea on Saturday to buy a set of drawers, forgetting just how painful flat packs can be – starting from the simple task of lifting them into the tiny Toyota Yaris I’d hired for the weekend!  The pain continued when I realised in order to assemble the thing, they assumed I had a whole toolbox of screwdrivers and hammers! I don’t.

After a trip to Big W, now an easy 5 minute walk from my place, I was hammering away like a boss and 3 hours later had created this little gem which is possibly my greatest ever creation.

I took this photo in utter excitement, which I suspect will continue pretty much every time I see my labour of love!

Fresh fish & Avocado Salsa

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I realised last week that while i eat a lot of canned fish, I rarely buy the fresh stuff! So over the weekend i bought a fillet off flat head from the Victoria Markets for like $3 and made this delish meal last night.

Flathead & Avo Salsa

For 1 Serve:

Half an Avocado cubed

Big handful of Coriander roughly chopped

Half a capsicum finely chopped (i used 1/4 red & 1/4 yellow)

Half a small red onion finely chopped

Juice of 1 Lime

Salt & Pepper

Salt & Pepper & Tabasco (to taste)

And just chuck it all together and serve with a piece of fish! So yum, and really filling.

HuTong Dumpling Bar

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With Saturday night to relax after a day full of apartment hunting, I figured I’d treat myself to a solo culinary night out and try out another Melbourne restaurant.  I’ve heard the name HuTong Dumpling Bar several times now, mostly referred to as the “best dumplings in town”. Personally I love dumplings, but I’ve never been one to’ seek out’ dumpling bars and I mostly just only eat them at Yum Cha which is pretty consistent no matter where you go.

I wander down to HuTong which is in an ally (surprise surprise) off Bourke Street quite early in the night, around 6PM and although I’ve been told to book ahead, it appears to be reasonably accommodating to walk ins. Most of these are directed upstairs, but given I’m alone, I’m seated at a sharing table with two duo’s of girlfriends. A tad awkward, but luckily I’m also seated facing the kitchen window where I can watch the chefs whipping up hundreds of dumplings right in front of me.

This place, more than any other I’ve been to is designed to share because I’ve been told I have to order the Shao-long Bao dumplings and although I ask for half a serve, I’m told they come with 8 as standard (a huge amount for one person!).  Luckily they’re just as amazing as they’ve been described: light pockets of pork filling with a hint of ginger flavoured broth welled in the bottom. I’m told by the waitress, “very hot” in her strong Chinese accent and when I poke my chopstick through the top, a perfect stream of steam pours out as if blowing at you from inside. Mixed with the sweet, soy vinegar, it’s seriously good and a novelty to the usual yum cha dumpling. I’m told by the adorable waiter who I assume is the owner from him presence in the restaurant, they’re from a different part of China, “where I’m from!” he says excitably, pointing to himself.

"Best Dumplings in Town"

“Best Dumplings in Town”

At only $12 it’s a laughably cheap dinner in town. With a group of friends I’m sure the atmosphere would have been a lot more enjoyable in the upper levels and I make a mental note to bring anyone here next time I have visitors.

Craving something sweet, I figure I’d head to my old favourite Chin Chin to try a dessert there I’ve had my eye on since my first visit.  As always, I get straight in since I’m alone and order the Grilled Banana Roti with condensed milk and cinnamon sugar. Maybe the best thing I’ve ever tasted. Few people would understand and some may not like it at all, but one person in my family would 100% agree.  The dish immediately throws me back to my childhood when we would make pikelet batter, fry with banana until under cooked  bite in and taste the gooey sweet centre. I distinctly recall people seeing us do this and screw up their faces in disgust but we always loved it. Somehow the roti at Chin Chin captured this exact flavour but on steroids. Writing about it now has me salivating!

I ask for the bill (another $12) and laugh with the waiter about my amazing decision to ‘pop in’ for dessert – something only locals would do. With flavours like that, it won’t be the last time!

HuTong Dumpling

Day Fifty-Three

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It’s funny to think that I’ve been here for this long when I still feel like I’m just on a work visit. But let’s face it, when I add all the days I’ve been out of the city, it’s probably more like “Day Twenty-Five”!  I suppose if I’d moved to New York or Singapore I wouldn’t have the convenience of commuting home any time I like and it has certainly made things easier. But I admit I’m waiting for the few weeks where I have no trips out of the city whatsoever and where I can just…be. Maybe then it will really feel like I’ve settled in.

Day 53 and I find that I talk to myself a lot more now – verbally congratulating myself on a yummy meal or telling myself out loud “don’t forget that umbrella Peta” as I prepare to leave the apartment. Or how about my favourite and the one I say most, “you idiot Peta!”. Mostly after I’ve spilled something during that yummy meal, or proceeded to forget that umbrella.  I tell myself this new, not so internal, communication is a great thing and just shows that I’m happy in my own company – but it is possible that I’ve just gone a little mad.

Surprising even myself, I’ve started to long for the suburbs now.  There are so many things I love about living in the city: I can sleep in on week days knowing work is only a 1 minute walk away and then head home for lunch to cook up a storm while i watch The View or Ellen. Then there are the amazing things around me for after work and on weekends like strolling to the Victoria Markets or Fitzroy Gardens.  But although I’m in one of the best Lane’s in the city, it’s also great proximity to Swanston Street, Melbourne’s George Street, which happens to be lined with McDonalds, KFC, Krispy Kreme and everything a twenty-something loves to hate! Yes, it’s my own weak personality that I can’t resist these delights (I’m referring to hangover days more than anything), but I find myself wishing there was just a nice little set of local shops in walking distance rather than the entire city at my fingertips! I have some of the best shopping in the city right outside my door but let’s face it, it’s not so ideal for my bank balance!

And although the proximity to work has its perks, I do find myself in a city block bubble most days!

Finally, the thought of being able to lie on my own bed and lounge around on my own couch or eat dinner at my own dining table, is just something my fancy Flinders Lane apartment just can’t compete with.

Day Fifty-Three, and the hunt for a suburban apartment begins!

Broccoli & Bacon Salad

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I made this salad when i was in Sydney recently & again today. After we had a family dinner we had a huge amount of cooked broccoli left over so i figured i’d try this recipe out to so it didn’t go to waste. But i loved it so much and it’s such a good way to get some greens into my (relatively) nutrient-less diet. The below ingredients will serve one for lunch but you can just chuck in as much or as little as you want.

Broccoli & Bacon Salad

Steamed broccoli (half a bunch serves 1) chopped up 

1/2 an avocado cubed

1 rasher of bacon, roughly copped and fried or grilled

Dressing: Equal parts dijon mustard & apple cider vinegar (or red wine vinegar), i used about 1 teaspoon of each. Mix together and pour over the salad and toss.

Salt & Pepper

Top with almond slivers (if you have them)

Bear with me on this one. I know it looks hella boring but it is actually amazing! I hadn’t tossed the salad in this picture so it looks overly plain – BUT when tossed, the creamy avocado combined with the mustard & vinegar makes it seem like you’re having a fatty mayo dolloped all over the salad..Mmmm

Kale Hummus

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I’m finding the jar of Tahini I keep in the cupboard really useful.  Blend a couple of tablespoons with half or whole roasted eggplant with some garlic for another healthy dip.  I also have it on toast to replace peanut butter.  But this Kale Hummus is something i tried last night..

Kale Hummus

Kale Hummus

– Can of chick peas, drained of the fluid

– 1 large spoonful of Tahini

– Juice of one lemon (more or less depending on taste, I added an extra squeeze at the end)

– Drizzle of olive oil (plus a little drizzle on top when it’s blended you’re going to keep it in the fridge)

– Couple of cloves of garlic

– Shake of cumin (depending on taste, I added about a teaspoon)

– Large handful of kale

– Salt & Pepper

Blend it all together and add more of any of the above depending on taste. Obviously you can leave out the kale for just an awesome hummus!

 

Sydney Weekender

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It’s amazing what you fit into a weekend when there’s no dedicated party night or hangover day so what’s usually a Sydney on Sunday turned into a full blown Sydney Weekender!

I’ve had a really busy time at work over the past couple of weeks, combined with some busy weekends so I was really in need of a low key weekend free of a hangover and full of sleep!  I was happy to be in Sydney but was concerned that a quiet weekend wouldn’t be on the cards if I made too many plans early.

In the end, my weekend was exactly what I wanted it to be; time with family, friends and me.

I spent Friday night at my sister’s house for her 30th birthday which was just what I was in the mood for and it was actually really nice spending time with my family.  It always takes me a while to relax there but once I do, I really enjoy it.  A few texts from my best girls reveals they’re out on the town and after a glimpse of jealously initially, I’m secretly high-fiving myself for avoiding a night out.

Saturday morning Mum & I decide to beat the crowds at the Archibald at head into town at 9:15am for our version of Mother’s Day. It seems like the rest of Sydney have the same idea and we’re shocked that several people are already waiting at the steps of the NSW Gallery.

Archibald & (Boy) Charlton Pool for "Mother's Day"

Archibald & (Boy) Charlton Pool for “Mother’s Day”

Not to be deterred, we join the queue and when they open the doors to the gallery, we strategically head to the end of the exhibit and work our way back, against the crowd.  Once we’ve seen all the best portraits the Archibald has to offer we head to (Boy) Charlton Pool for some brekkie which is lovely on such a perfect Autumn day.

Later in the afternoon when Dad’s at Rugby and Mum’s at a baby shower, I find myself with some alone time and decide to head to Rozelle for their weekend markets. They’re enjoyable and a good way to spend an afternoon but in terms of hidden gems, they’re few and far between and I wouldn’t hurry back.  For old time’s sake, I head to where Hunters Hill Rugby is playing at Ryde Park where Dad has refereed earlier.  A visit from my bestie rounds off a great Sydney day!

Saturday night I’m loving life – opting to stay home with my parents with leftovers from the family roast and Dexter.

Sunday is just as good and the girls and I venture to the new ‘place to be’, The Grounds of Alexandria which is a seemingly random space in the middle of warehouses boasting some of the best breakfast in Sydney.  It’s a beautiful space and it’s immediately clear what the hype is all about. We debate (for a while) whether we can endure the minimum hour wait for a table for breakfast and are all happy we do when we eventually receive our meals, which are all healthy and delicious.  Although it was a better brekkie than most, I definitely wouldn’t be rushing back to wait for that amount of time every Sunday but definitely a great option for a special day.  Also a shame that you essentially have to make a decision whether you want to sit amongst the gorgeous herbs and next to the chicken coup and pig pen and order just a coffee and take away roll, or have brekkie inside the café. Although you get the best of both worlds given you have to wait, but it would be such a great thing to combine them!

Kevin Bacon and the Grounds of Alexandria

Kevin Bacon and the Grounds of Alexandria

I’ve been missing the coast so we head to Coogee and lay on the grass opposite the beach after finding a surprisingly easy park.  That must have been my favourite moment of the day, just lying in the sun with the girls; chatting and laughing – I could have stayed there forever!