BARRIO CHINO KINGS CROSS

My divine friend Anyo and I went on a girls night out recently 'twas truly beyond fun! Before our exciting adventures through the city we stopped in at Barrio Chino for a tasty bite of Mexicana.

I heard the ques were long here, but we didn't experience this at all. If you are there to eat, eat you shall. They were super fast in seating us (as long as you are not picky about where you eat).

We shared the BBQ Corn (with chipotle may and lime juice), one of the best Quinoa salads I've had next to Mamasita in Melbourne and an extremely generous portion of Ceviche - so fresh, so yum so spicy - love it!! They are not light on the chilli heat here so if you can't handle it best to let them know in advance.

Excellent Tequila menu and the Margaritas rocked! Essentially this to me is the best Mexican next to Mamasita, its fun, loud, spicy and tasty... for more information visit http://barriochino.com.au/

FRATELLI FRESH CAFE SOPRA NEW STORE

WOOHOOO!!! Hubond just sent me an email that Cafe Sopra are opening another location right near my work - now that is dangerous!!! Tomorrow Thurs 10 Nov new store opens at 11 Bridge Street in the CBD. Trading hours M-F only at present (Saturday coming in 2 weeks) the usual: 12 - 3pm for lunch and 6 - 10pm for dinner. Pizzeria, Mozarella Bar open 12noon - 10pm.

MAMASITA MELBOURNE TAKE 2

I love Melbourne. I was there yesterday on a magazine pitch which we won (hooray!) and thought to treat myself to possibly my favourite restaurant in Australia - MAMASITA.

Mamasita is located at 1/11 Collins Street in the CBD, it's upstairs and since normally Melbournians don't que for anything and there was a long line, it has to be good right? Well it is, it's sensational. It should be noted that their entire menu is also gluten free which is so hard to find for my fellow coeliacs so they should be very happy. It has the best tequila menu of any restaurant I have ever been to.

I started with their signature margarita on the rocks, made with Agavero then ordered to accompany the Prawn Taco (de Camarones: marinated prawns, red chilli and chipolte almond salsa) and Ceviche de Yucutan (market fish, green tomato, chilli, mint and coconut milk)... perfect Then finished off with Quinoa Salad (Quinoa, chilli, salsa, corn, coriander and pico de salsa) and the Grilled Prawns with toasted garlic and green almond sauce) love it! Visit them next time your in Melbourne or check out the rest of the amazing menu at http://www.mamasita.com.au/

CENTRAL MARKET ADELAIDE

I had such a lovely weekend in Adelaide with the beautiful Olivia and Stackey! We went for a quick visit to celebrate Stackey's 30th and I'm so glad we went. You can't visit Adelaide and not go to the Central Markets in the CBD, it has the most amazing fresh produce from mainly the local area. The cheese, wine, small goods, bread, fruit, veggies are all so fresh and so tasty. The last time we visited we came here first, filled a picnic bag full of goodies then headed straight to the Barossa for our own food & wine adventure. I love that Adelaide and South Australians are so very proud of their state and what they produce, and so they should be, it is first class.

The markets also hold special events like the above Great Sustainable Spencer Gulf King prawn BBQ. Fri 11 November you can join Simon Bryant as he presents the first ever sustainable prawn BBQ. This event celebrates the Spencer Gulf King prawns becoming the first in the WORLD to be certified sustainable by the MSC www.msc.org matched with some equally amazing and sustainable wine - you can't miss out, I'm sad to not be there!!!

Visit http://www.adelaidecentralmarket.com.au for more information

SYDNEY FESTIVAL LINE-UP

Hooray, it's that time of year again when Sydney comes alive!! I always say to any tourists wanting to visit Australia and Sydney in particular you must come during Jan/Feb - yes yes it's hot but Sydney is the most vibrant and exciting it will ever be all year. They've just announced Sydney Festival Line-up visit http://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/2012/ get your tickets early to avoid sell out.

THE ART LOUNGE & SUSHI YACHIYO

The Kirketon Hotel http://www.8hotels.com/sydney-hotels/kirketon-hotel/ was the place to be a few years ago, in particularly for Luke Mangan's restaurant 'Salt'. I had attended so many functions and private dinners there, it was fab. Since the closure of the restaurant I've never been back until last night. The beautiful Rone and I met for a drink here and I have to say, I loved it. The setting is just beautiful and my margarita was excellent. In fact, everything was pretty wonderful - service, drinks, food - why haven't I been here before?

After some careful research I find that it has a French Algerian background which is clearly reflected in the menu, highly recommended located at 229 Darlinghurst Rd http://www.theartlounge.com.au

After drinks we meet up with Jackie and complex Dave for a feast at Sushi Yachiyo, again I sit there in total disbelief that again another fantastic NO amazing place like this has passed me by. It's hidden away, located at 1/13 Kirketon Rd in Darlinghurst, around the corner from the hotel down a laneway, it's a super small restaurant but intimate and the food quality is 5 star.

I'm a huge fan of the 'Popcorn Shrimp' at Sake www.sakerestaurant.com.au but have to say (big call) that their version is better! Really well priced, good size portions, super fresh.

We start with a couple of salads: Crunchy Salad (Green salad with crunchy lotus root chips and sesame dressing) and Green Tea Noodle Salad (Green tea noodles and mixed leaf salad with sesame shiso dressing). Divine... it had almost like a Japanese Slaw on the bottom to soak up the amazing shiso dressing.

We then proceed to the Popcorn Shrimp and the Prawn Miso Walnut Roll (Inside-out avocado roll wrapped in prawn with walnut and miso sauce). The Mushroom Agedashi was sensational and the various Aburi Sushi was so fresh. I need to think of any reason to come back here again and again - check out the menu for yourself at http://www.yachiyo.com.au

SHORTGRAIN SYDNEY

Longrain www.longrain.com.au has been an favourite destination in Sydney for some time. Around the beginning of the year, they opened a sister cafe (at the back of the main restaurant) located at 8-10 Hunt Street Surry Hills called Shortgrain ;)

On my travels yesterday I decided to stop in and have a mini feast. I had the Squid Salad with lemongrass, mint and red chilli nahm jim and Chinese Broccoli, which was light and delicious. It maintains the same fresh vibrant flavours as Longrain but in smaller lunch style portions for the people on the go. The Salad was $14 and the Chinese Broccoli about $5 so not bad. The menu changes on a regular basis depending on ingredients in season. Stop in on your next trek through Surry Hills. Some other options included a beautifully presented Silken Tofu with Tamarind and Sesame dressing, Massamam Curry of Beef, Fried Barossa Chicken with Peanut Sauce - plenty of options from vegetarian to the carnivores ;) Visit http://www.longrain.com.au/sydney_shortgrain.htm for more info

Jonas Peterson Check Mate

This has to be the photo of the day. Jonas Peterson never ceases to amaze me in the way he captures images. I'm trying to think of any reason to hire him even if it's to photograph me eating jelly beans and ice cream!! Visit http://jonaspeterson.com/ for your daily inspiration

GIDDY UP - THE PONY ROOM MANLY

I think I died and went to Margarita heaven!! The Pony Room is located on Pittwater Road in Manly (just near the Tennis Courts) and could possibly have the best cocktails I've had in a long while (yes Sis pay attention). I'm always a bit skeptical of cocktails served in jam jars, but have to say this really works! The setting is dark and moody, with an eclectic kind of Vinnies vibe (in a good way) and the pizza's are amazing. We are dying to go back to try their Wednesday Taco's.

Do yourself a favour and get down there, I'm certainly going to hold my birthday here next year. Thanks to wheresarahwent.blogspot.com for the images. Visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Pony-Room/116595645068908

VICTORIA ROOM THE SALON

The Victoria Room in Darlighurst serves some of the best cocktails in Sydney, alongside some tasty morsels of tapas style meals and of course high-tea. Walking through the new Westfield in Pitt Street Mall, I came across the Tea Salon on Level 5 (near Sambag) by The Victoria Room. A quaint sophisticated cafe-style location, surrounded by white picket fence and cherry blossom fabric. It serves a really delicious range of light meals plus a beautiful high-tea selection. Definitely worth a stop on your next fashion hunt. Visit www.thevictoriaroom.com

MAX BRENNER - DRINK ME!

Everyone knows Max Brenner, his divine cafes are everywhere. Adding to his list of impressive locations, Max has opened his latest location at the new Westfield in Pitt St Mall on level 6 and I just discovered my new favourite drink!!! Wait for it....

White chocolate frappe blended with a handful of marshmallows - oh my god! Served in the 'Alice' cup which appropriately instructs you to 'Drink Me' ;) If you haven't been you must, the hot and cold chocolates are some of the best I've ever had.

For more information visit http://www.maxbrenner.com.au/

MORENA PISCO SOUR MASTERCLASS

I'm heading to Morena in Surry Hills tonight for a Pisco Sour Master Class evening, this is part of the Crave Food Festival month and I'm totally excited about it.

Morena is located on Bourke Street near the Beresford Hotel. It showcases some amazing variety of Latin American flavours and ingredients and is known for making some of the best varieties of Pisco Sour cocktails in Sydney.

So what is a Pisco Sour? A Pisco Sour is a cocktail containing pisco, lemon or lime juice, egg whites, simple syrup and bitters. Pisco is a grape brandy produced in wine-making regions around Chile & Peru, there is some debate on the origin of the cocktail but either way we are glad it has made its presence on the world stage.

My beautiful Sis introduced me to this gorgeous drink at El Capo who made a mean cocktail and now I'm a true fan....

For more information on all info above visit: www.facebook.com/morenasydney?sk=info ; www.cravesydney.com ; www.theberesford.com.au/ and www.elcapo.com.au

FRATELLI PARADISO

Fratelli Paradiso is an absolute instituion in Sydney. Located in Challis Street in Potts Point, in the 5 years I have been feasting here, it has never once disappointed me or in fact anyone else I know that eats here. The menu is so fresh with a real home-made quality to it. The signature dish would be the calamari as an entree, then you can't go past the fish of the day or the special pasta of the day. The waiters are divine and transport you to an Italian paradise. If you are in Sydney you must come here. 12-16 Challis AvenuePotts Point NSW 2011 (02)9357 1744

Touch Screen Restaurants Take Off

The tokyo touch screen restaurants are taking off in Sydney. There are a few around but beware of which ones you try. We believe there are two clear leaders - Wagaya in Haymarket and Tokyo Ria in World Square.

Both serve sensational fresh food with some quirky cocktail options. You can get carried away with the touch screens but it's super fun and interactive and great for group bookings.

Visit http://www.lifestylefood.com.au/restaurants/wagaya and http://welcometotheinnerfattie.blogspot.com/2011/03/tokyo-ria.html for more info ;)

BEST YUM CHA NORTH SIDE

There was an article recently in a popular weekly Sydney magazine all about their top 5 best Yum Cha or Dim Sum in Sydney.

Our favourite of all time is definitely Manly Phoenix, sitting right on Manly Wharf (on the water) the views are spectacular from every angle of the restaurant, and more importantly the Yum Cha/Dim Sum is the best we've had in Sydney - so fresh, lots of variety and reasonably priced.

Once you've finished your tasty delights, don't forget to go for a walk around the water either towards Fairlight or around to Little Manly Beach which most tourist don't know about... secluded and so beautiful.

PEANUT BUTTER LOVERS NEW YORK CITY

God bless America! Where else in the world would you find a shop dedicated to Peanut Butter.

The shop opened in 1998 and is dedicated to all things Peanut Butteresque. It's located in Greenwich Village area just near Bleecker Street.

You can shop online for all your key peanut butter ingredients plus don't forget your marshmallow in a jar!! The sandwich shop is open most days and make sure you check out their 'Sandwich of the Week'.

Even Jerry Sinefield has his own creation on the menu Visit www.ilovepeanutbutter.com

Maximo Riera - Animal Kingdom

How amazing are these chairs? They have been carefully designed and created by an artist called Maximo Riera. Maximo is from Northern Spain and he has a distinct love of all things environmental and animal.

The Animal Chair collection consists of the images you see, plus there are some more to come including the Lion, Beetle and Whale Chairs. It's his way of capturing the beauty and grandeur of the amazing animals which inhabit our planet.


For more information visit https://www.maximoreiera.com

THE ULTIMATE CAMPER

Now that we've got a little furry friend, we are looking to renovate a cool retro camper or caravan to make sure Mrs doesn't miss out! Here are some cool images of Airstream trailers (that started in US back in 1931) and also some teardrop campers.