Di's 22nd @ Harbour Kitchen & Bar

9 April 2007
Over Easter 14 of us celebrated Di's birthday at the Harbour Kitchen & Bar at the Rocks. With candles stationed around the place the restaurant looked beautiful and the view of the harbour from inside is absolutely amazing! Because there was more than 10 people we had to select from a smaller menu where there was only a choice of 4 entrees, 4 mains and 4 desserts (the full menu can be viewed here).

We were happy to select from the smaller menu but what we were not told was that it was compulsory for everyone at the table to select either the 2 course for $70 or 3 course for $90. This was an issue because this was a late dinner so a few people had already eaten and were only planning to have dessert.

Happy Birthday Di! You look more beautiful with each year!

Entree`

wagyu beef bresaola with truffled dwarf peaches, rocket & pecorino

Chefs risotto made with aged organic carnaroli rice

natural oysters with two dressings

Mains


crisp skinned snapper, wood roasted mussels with cannellini bean & baby fennel salad


walnut & pine nut crusted lamb rack with potato & mint gnocchi

duck and thyme ravioli with mushroom ragout

Sides

The prices did cover the cost of the side dishes for the table but we figured that $70 for a main and dessert wasn't the best value as desserts ranged from $15-19.

Roma tomato, olives & spanish onionsrocket

pear & parmesan saladmixed leaf

plate of chorizo sausages, beans tossed with lemon

(photos of desserts to come)

Overall this place has great atmosphere, the servings (assuming you have at least 2 courses) is a good size for the girls but probably a bit on the small side for the guys. I was a little disappointed with the snapper that I ordered (it was a bit salty and the crispy skin was soft) but Jacky gave the lamb the thumbs up. I don't think that I would recommend this place for groups larger than 10 but it would be a great location for an intimate lunch with friends.

Harbour Kitchen & Bar
Park Hyatt Sydney
No.7 Hickson Road The Rocks
Phone:02 9256 1661

The Chaser

Went to watch a taping of The Chaser's war on everything last night at the ABC studios. These guys were absolutely hilarious and kept us entertained in between takes, the best thing is that it's free, you get free lollies and you get to meet them afterwards. Visit their website for ticket details, the episode will be on the ABC at 9pm tonight.

Thanks Sophia for organising!

Earth Hour

Earth Hour -It was nice turning off the lights

Belinda's Homecoming High Tea

Our friend Belinda just moved back from London after 10 long months away. To welcome her back Sarah and I decided to throw her a homecoming high tea at my house. To prepare I stayed up the night before baking biscotti and making a tiramisu, I even bought a 2 tier platter for the occasion (it looked so cute!).

The menu for the day

What's a high tea without a selection of teas and finger sandwiches. The teapot was a gift from Jacky's Mum and went really well with the theme of the day.

Also on the menu was....

Semolina cake, Almond biscotti and shortbread (all homemade). On the right - french onion dip with carrot sticks (Joel I made good use of your little dishes)


Chocolate truffles & creme brulee hot out of the oven


Jacky was really sweet and cut up some strawberries for us to have with our champagne


After the tiramisu and creme brulee we were too full for pavlova, we left it sitting in the oven


Welcome back Beli, thank you for the housewarming gift and thank you Sarah for helping me get everything ready!

I feel numb

I’m sure that you’ve all read about or seen on TV the horrible accident that happened at Kogarah today. I was following the story all day because I use to go to school in the area. I knew that stretch of road so well that I could visualize that particular turn and bus stop in my head as I read the story. I felt so bad for the victims that I even emailed my friends about the incident, by the time I got home the news reported that someone had died.

At 7:30pm I received a phone call from one of my friends, her and her family were on their way to the hospital to help police (I froze; I thought that someone I knew died). Instead it turned out that we knew who the driver was (she was the mother of a girl that I went to high school with). I couldn’t believe it…and if you knew the tragedy that surrounded this family you would be even more shocked.

I don’t know what’s going to happen next, what a terrible thing to happen (for everyone involved).

*edit* My friend who went to the hospital to support the family just called me, from what police can tell the driver didn't run a red light, hadn't been drinking and wasn't speeding; it was just a freak accident. The driver is so distraught over what happened that they have her on suicide watch.

28/03/2007 - The latest update.

Luke & Sally's Wedding

Dalton Chapel, Saint Ignatius College, Riverview

The bride Sally looked gorgeous in Vera Wang and Luke looked pretty smart himself.

The reception was held at the Tea Room Gunners' Barracks, the water and city views was breathtaking. The reception began with drinks and canapes on a deck overlooking the water.

*edit* still adding to this post (I've just been too tired to do it all in one go)

The Last Few Days

Saturday 24 March 2007 - Anita's hens night

The day involved nude drawing followed by dinner @ Cafe Pacifico and drinks at Peppermint lounge. I think the rule is, 'what happens on a hen's nights stays at the hen's night!'. So all I will say is that it was a hysterical night (about 30 ladies attended) and the nude model was very confident indeed! These are probably the only 2 safe photos that can be posted up, one of Anita and I and another of a few of the girls walking to Peppermint lounge getting blown away by the wind.

Friday 23 March 2007 - Sydney Law Careers Fair@ the Convention Centre Darling Harbour

I'm actually on the board that organises this and after months of planning, dealing with the SMH, co-ordinating volunteers it was that time of the year again. 6 long hours (+ an extra 3 hours setting up), 1500 law students, freebies galore and really really sore feet! Last year was my first year at the fair and I found the second time round to be so much easier.

I bumped into Emmelyn who use to work at Baku during her Uni days, she's now working at KPMG and is getting married next week (I can finally say to someone else 'It's about time!'). Congratulations and that is one stunning not to mention massive rock!

Thursday 22 March 2007 - Dinner with Sarah @ Blackbirds Cafe

We haven't been back to Blackbirds in years, we use to go all the time (I had my 20th there) but at some stage the service and quality of food went right down and we found other places to eat. After setting up our stand for the Sydney Law Careers Fair I caught up with Sarah for dinner.

Bean Nachos $13.90, Dahl $9.90

I'm not sure if the menu has changed but I didn't see any of the items that was listed on their website at the actual restaurant. The place looks pretty much the same after all these years and it turned out to be a great spot to have a chat over dinner. The service was a really good on this particular night and there is a good variety of meals to suit all budgets.

Blackbirds Cafe
Balcony Level, Cockle Bay Wharf
Darling Harbour
Phone: 02 9283 7385

Special

I wasn't suppose to see these yet but Mum couldn't help herself. She received these from my Grandmother during her tea ceremony when my parents got married and Mum will be passing these ones down to me (she's left some others for Sophia).

It is tradition that parents and relatives give gifts of jewellery and red pockets during the tea ceremony (usually 24k yellow gold bangles) which I will wear at our reception when I change into my traditional Chinese garments (Dad is currently having these made overseas). It's all very exciting!

image by Charles Cheung HK