Balmain

We went to Balmain again the following week, Saturday. The original plan was to visit Glebe's Saturday market. But I changed the plan last minute while riding the bus. I had this feeling that I have not explored the place enough. Turned out that I was right. That bit that we saw the previous week is only the very tip of what Balmain has to offer. This time, after lunch and dessert, we spent 2 whole hours trekking through Darling street of Balmain, visiting the numerous quaint little boutiques and amazing pastry shops. The only thing I have to complain about is I can only shop with my eyes and nose. Mum has made it very clear to me that I am to be stingy with spending. (I guess she was a little shocked at my expenditure during my first three months. haha.) I am also discouraged from taking up extra curricular activities (ie. Aikido and even French lessons) simply because it is extra expenditure. Well, what happened to: use this opportunity to learn as much as you like?

I am going to sidetrack a little. I am going to justify my spending expenditure. I admit, I am not a frugal person. I cannot be. Simply because I am not brought up that way. On the other hand, I do not spend excessively. I do not shop for fashion, I am not into alcohol and I definitely do not gamble. The only thing that I probably blow most of my money on is grocery food. I eat very well, something I take from my parents. My father is all for freshness and my mum is all for organic. Since both is so readily available and of a higher eating quality than in Singapore, why not indulge?

Eating out is also another big expenditure for me, which I am currently exercising restraint over. I am in a foreign country. I want to try out the food culture in Sydney. I want to taste the best of pastry. I want to sample the best of cuisine. Hell, I even want to sip the best of coffee in Sydney. (I never touch any form of coffee in Singapore.) Which is really really difficult if I also want to save money like crazy. What I really want to say is, yes, I will control my spending but please, do give me some freedom to do what I really like: to eat really well.

Owells, let me now show you how I spend my precious allowance in this wonderful Balmain.

The Saturday flea market which sells all kinds of second-hand goodies. Nothing to tempt me there.

Lunch. We decided on this semi-gothic cafe due to it's popularity. Look at the paintings on the wall. Pretty unappetising huh?

Skittles!

Ricotta cheese ravioli bolognese and salmon risotto. Taste bland with baby food texture. We don't like it at all.

At Strudel Baron Balmain, bread custard pudding and lime brulee tart. We came here to soothe our dissatisfied palette knowing that Strudel Baron will certainly deliver. It did but comparing with the branch at Drummoyne, we found out that we liked Drummoyne better.

After almost 3km of walking, I can't be bothered with picture-taking anymore. haha. This is Balmain Court House, you know, where lawyers argue in front of a judge. It is beautiful, quite similar to the subordinate court in Singapore.

End.

Bowan Island Bakery

Bowan Island Bakery at Drummoyne is a seriously good organic cafe. I was blown away by their really simple yet delicious grubby food. Stella ordered a steak and curry pie with a side salad. As you can see, salad is well dressed and well varied with tofu, spinach, tomatoes, all my favourite foods. And very generous as well. And all organic.

I had the plainest outside breakfast ever and it is one of the best. Fresh organic tomatoes with basil on sourdough toasties. I think this is very Italian. Simple flavours rocks. But, Bowan Island Bakery is a quite steep in the pricing. $8.20 for a simple dish like mine. Dinner was a wonderful affair at Makoto with Cynthia. I miss sushi and I cannot, cannot tolerate bad sushi like I used to anymore. Ever since Japan has enlightened me. Makoto is perhaps the best sushi place in Sydney.

Thursday, I was feeling particularly dressy and vain. So I went all out to put on a dress and make-up and heels. Killer, cheapo heels I bought in Tokyo almost maimed my feet. haha. I survived and came back home to take lots and lots of self-shots! It was the spur of the moment kind of thing. So I took out my camera and it was non-stop in-front of the mirror until I had my fun. Oh, it was fun. And it was ultra vain.

End.

Plated Desserts

I am going to blog after all- I have just too much time. heehee.

I have decided not to work just yet. I will concentrate on gaining as much knowledge and skills as I can for now. Continuing with my French lessons is a sure thing since I have already signed up for it. I also plan to take up driving and martial arts. Hopefully Aikido. I am very interested in Aikido. haha. We'll see.

This week's lesson in on plated desserts. Souffle, baravois, raspberry mousse, panna cotta, self-saucing chocolate pudding, we made as mains. Creme anglaise, raspberry coulis, chocolate sauce and strawberry and pineapple mint salsa for garnish. Below are some of the desserts my chefs demonstrated.

I can seriously imagine beautiful, appetising, wow-ing desserts in my head. But when I translate it into real world, they look like this: -_-

And Chef Andre says: imagination is your limit. I do agree with him but you do need a certain amount of skill to execute your ideas, don't you.

End.

Newsflash!

You know people, I am not going to put up any pictures for a while cause my internet is crawling at the speed of an earthworm. Pathetic. I think I busted my usage allowance for the month. Which means I will have to wait till the next month for usual speed. haha, owells. I shall content myself with library books for now. I joined membership at this awesome library at circular quay. I'll post pictures of it some other day.

No point blogging without any pictures. Therefore, no posts for now! Adieu! :D

Cafe 2000

Yeeha! I feel inspired all of a sudden. I want to:

jog every morning

learn the positions of at least 100 countries on the map

draw flowers and people all day long
learn photoshop for real
make my own dress
master the medicinal properties of herbs and plants
read like crazy
rip pimples off my face

Okay, one at a time. Right now, all I want to do is blog about my exciting Thursday affair in Balmain.

Stella and I alighted at least half a kilometers from Balmain, darling street, just to visit this petshop which we found out to have positively no animals in it. So we left, and walked to Balmain. Good exercise la. Good views too.

Upon reaching, we immediately scouted for food. We walked up and down darling street once through before settling for Italian at Cafe 2000. Very Italian cafe. Chef is Italian, waiter and waitress is Italian, pastry is Italian too. Bon appetito!

Spaghetti Vongole, my choice, was done to perfection. Spaghetti just cooked, vongole fresh, olive oil and chilli flakes not too over-powering, just to my taste. I turn to the waiter to give my compliments, then the chef shouted out: "They didn't cook it. I did!" There you go, Italians.

Stella's roasted quail with grilled vege. Absolutely delish. Quail is not dry, vege is awesomely flavoured.

Dessert part. Italian cake. I can't remember the name but I tell you, this is good. Full of nuts and wholesome sweetness.

Another Italian cake which name I also conveniently forgotten. Thick crusted and dry. Some syrup to go with it would be welcomed. But I like the texture. Rustic.

Latte and mocha for me and Stella. Stella don't really like Italian roast. She thinks they are over-roasted. I can't tell the difference really. haha.

The Italian waiter tells us, "The Italians taught the French how to eat." Which meant that, the Italians are really the best chefs in the world, not the Frenchies. Then he said, "But the Italians are stupid. They let the French take their food." Owells. That is abit of history for you. But you know, I don't really care where the food came from as long as my taste buds likes it. :D

End.

Linzer Torte, Blueberry & Raspberry Almond Flan, St. Honore, Tart au Chocolat Noir

Linzer Torte is a famous Austrian pastry that is called a "torte" but is actually a tart filled with raspberry jam. It is a very dry style pastry and is often served for afternoon tea.

Monday lesson: Linzer torte and Tart aux Fruits Rouge. Translation: Linzer torte on your left is explained on the above. Tart aux fruit rouge is basically a pastry base baked with almond cream (frangipane) filled with pastry cream and decorated with raspberries and blueberries, traditionally. But because our stupid school is always finding ways to cut costs, they gave us the comparatively cheaper strawberries for decorations instead. Then, because the strawberries in Australia are not in season, we got strawberries from giant land, namely America. In conclusion, our tart aux fruit rouge turned out fine. :D

Linzer torte and Tart aux fruit rouge, by Chef Micheal. I realised, only after eating, that I didn't take pictures for my tarts. Owells.

Tuesday lesson was Gateau St. Honore, a famous pastry that was originated in France. Gateau St. Honore is primarily made up of creme chibouste, choux pastry and puff pastry. Chef Karen made some spun sugar to go on with it.

The difficult part of this gateau is in the creme chibouste, i find. Even with added whipped cream, the shape couldn't hold well. And it is super duper sweet. Anyway, this is what I rushed out in 3 and 1/2 hours.

Wednesday, Chef Andre finished the white chocolate fudge, and made tart au chocolat noir which is dark chocolate tart in English. The dark chocolate tart is my current favourite! Below: white chocolate fudge.

Dark chocolate tart with raspberry, by Chef Andre.

Plated dark chocolate tart, by chef Andre.

Mine.

Mine. Mine. Mine!

End.

My doggy issue

Vicky, the most human dog ever.

I think I am too free right now. Images of fluffy, cuddly, bright-eyed dogs keep popping up in my head. I imagine Vicky running towards me, towards my bed, and cuddling next to me this very moment. Oh my Vicky, wherest art thou? You know, my mum did offer to send Vicky over. But after finding out about the 30 days quarantine and all the injections and blood samples my dog has to endure, I don't quite have the heart to continue. To do so, I would have to be completely irrationally selfish. *big sigh here* Over on the left, I was trying to get Vicky to smile. She never does smile for the camera.

Then, I thought I could have a dog (buy or adopt) in Australia and bring it back to Singapore with me. There is no quarantine I heard. But, but, but, mum doesn't allow. *another big sigh here*

You know what, I should really start working to get my mind off all these. I have recently got my work permit approved. Hooray!

and...
Yup, that was me. At a tender age of 16, when the fats haven't settled into permanent residency. That was taken on my prom night, which explains the hair, make-up and everything. You see, I have come into a bet with Aileen. I will return to Singapore, a super slim and sexy me. Similarly, Aileen will find a way, be it via drugs or anorexia, to become a super slim and sexy her when she sees me back in Singapore. The stake, one thousand Singapore dollars. I really mean it this time. Basically, all I have to do is to lose 7 bloody kilos and I am done. I will figure out a way. So folks residing in Singapore, expect a super slim and sexy me for the New Year!