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.

MEXICANO NARRABEEN BEACH

We Sydney-siders are riding the Mexican wave and we don't want it to stop. It's taken some time for Australian's to embrace real tex-mex the American way, but better late than never - as they say!

Hubond and I ventured to the new Mexicano on Sat night for our weekly fix. It was pretty awesome, had a very inner city vibe but kept the Northern Beaches relaxed cool/charm about it all. It's located right on Narrabeen Beach near the surf club http://www.mexicano.com.au/mexicano/index.html this will be a perfect location in Summer.

Margaritas are sensational and the Tequila menu as far as I'm concerned, if they stock Agavero, then it's excellent! Very few restaurants know or understand Tequila.

The fish soft taco with chipotle mayo was tasty, the papaya slaw complimented it really well. The chips & guac were actually real toasted tortillas (gasp) and the salsa was clearly home made with some smokey chipotle chilli involved. We had a great time and would recommend to everyone.

BEST OF PARIS

This blog is for my Mum and Dad who are heading to the beautiful city of Paris next year. We’ve been to Paris twice now, both such different experiences. Once with 6 friends, so amazing, and we covered every tourist spot in Paris you could imagine, then the second time to meet our beautiful friend and local Parisian Marie, who gave us the local perspective. Here are our highlights and definite ‘things to do’ list for my parents:


Our hotel accommodation each time was at Hotel Jeanne D’Arc in Le Marais www.hoteljeannedarc.com/ , the rooms are spacious and very clean, the location of Le Marais is outstanding http://www.parismarais.com/welcome-to-le-marais.htm

In and around the hotel is a beautiful courtyard with restaurants & cafes which really come to life at night. All around the hotel in the streets that surround is the shopping mecca of Le Marais, start walking around streets like: Rue de Turenne, Rue de Sevgine and all around this area, you can’t miss it don’t wake up early though, no one really gets moving until about 10/11am ;)

Day 1:
A short walk from the hotel you reach the main road Rue Saint-Antoine, at this corner (very close to your hotel) you have everything you could possibly need including delicious baker Boulangerie Paul www.paul.fr/ , a pharmacy, a supermarket, a cheese shop, a wine/champagne store and a small but efficient department store for any missing under/outerwear you might need. This is I believe one of the best hotel locations in Paris for convenience, it is also right at the main metro line Saint-Paul http://www.parismetro.com/ , this line will take you anywhere you need to go in Paris.

From the main road (Rue Saint-Antoine) start walking down Rue Saint-Paul, for about 10-15mins through the pretty streets, you will then reach the River Seine, walk around Pont Marie bridge and here you will discover Notre Dame. If you are facing the front of Notre Dame, directly behind you about a 5 min walk is the beautiful Sainte-Chapelle church, these two places should not be missed. From Saint-Chapelle start walking down (opposite direction from you hotel) Bd Saint-Michel this will eventually lead you to the glorious Les Jardin du Luxembourg (the most magical gardens).

You will go through the gorgeous area of St Germain des Pres http://www.aparisguide.com/stgermain/index.html , this colourful area has amazing shops, FOOD, bars, cafes – great place to stop a revive!

After St Germain you are still on your way to the gardens But WAIT you can not go there empty handed!!!! Gerard Mulot is your pit-stop www.gerard-mulot.com/ , you must go here first (a little tricky to find, ask a local it’s very well known) and collect a platter of tasty treats, then go to the gardens, pull up a chair in front of the fountain and watch the beautiful Parisian children play with the wooden boats. Spend some quality time here and savour every moment!

Now that you’ve eaten your baguette, éclairs and many other treats from Gerard-Mulot, you now have the energy to proceed!!! I would recommend visiting the magnificent Pantheon http://www.pantheonparis.com/ , if you are facing the fountain with the palace behind you, the Pantheon is on your left, head to the gates and find Rue Soufflot, you can’t miss the Pantheon such a grand structure, if you have time, the visit to the top is well worth it and the view is spectacular.

Walk back towards the direction you just came, walk through the Luxembourg gardens again, but head straight through going in a straight line, you should come out to Rue Guynemer, really I recommend getting a taxi from here, but if you are up for the walk, you are heading to Le Bon Marche www.lebonmarche.com/ the grand department store. The food area is fantastic, the couture section is to die for! Surely you must be tired, head back to the hotel to relax before dinner but make sure you cross Pont Neuf (bridge) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pont_Neuf, recommend for your first night, have dinner in one of the restaurants in your courtyard, the food is excellent in every single one, pick the one with the most people and enjoy.

Day 2:
There are many hidden gardens in Le Marais, wake up enjoy a coffee and head off to find the hidden garden behind the gates of http://www.parismarais.com/flowers.htm Musee Carnavalet at 16 Rue de Francs Bourgeois. From Hotel Jeanne D’Arc you head away from the main road towards Rue de Francs Bourgeois, ask a local for the hidden garden from here they will show you where it is difficult to find. Make sure you sit on the chairs provided and enjoy the moment. Head down back the way you came to Rue Rambuteau and walk towards Place des Vosges (again ask a local to make sure you are walking in the right direction) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Place_des_Vosges this is my favourite park in the whole world. Around the park are various cafes, grab a breakfast baguette and enjoy in the park. What a great way to start the day!

Today is another day of walking, you can easily catch the Metro and stop along the way, but you miss so much if you are underground. Heading back towards your hotel and back towards the main road Rue Saint-Antoine, if you are facing the bakery (Boulangerie Paul) you need to go right along Saint-Antoine which then turns into Rue de Rivoli. Walking along this main road you will come across beautiful churches, stores, cafes, keep going you will reach Hotel de Ville http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%B4tel_de_Ville,_Paris, it’s the city’s administration building and a great meeting spot. From here keep walking along Rue de Rivoli and this will eventually lead you to Musee du Louvre http://www.louvre.fr/llv/commun/home.jsp?bmLocale=en and it’s glorious gardens Jardin de Tuileries. Spend as much or as little time here, to be honest we loved the gardens more than the museum, but the internals are amazing to see.

If you keep walking directly ahead same direction through the gardens this will lead you to Champs Elysees which eventually leads you to Arc de Triomphe. Walk back towards the Louvre and turn right down Pl Clemenceau, which turns into Av Winston Churchill, this takes you past Le Grand Palais and leads you to Pont Alexandre III (bridge) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pont_Alexandre_III here you have the second most beautiful Museum in the world Musee D’Orsay www.musee-orsay.fr/en/home.html now at this point you should consider taxi or metro as the walk to the Eiffel Tower is between 30min – 1 hour depending on your fitness. But if you continue along the water in the opposite direction from your hotel you will eventually reach The Eiffel Tower and its beautiful gardens www.tour-eiffel.fr/

Day 3:
Today you must get to Galeries Lafayette http://www2.galerieslafayette.com/international/index.do if you go nowhere else in this building, you MUST go to LEVEL 1 their food mecca, enjoy many hours here!!!! It’s quite a distance from your hotel and we recommend either Metro or Taxi from Le Marais.

Depending on what time you started, you could easily head up to Montmartre http://www.montmartre-paris-france.com/english/ , you will definitely need to use the Metro, taxi would cost quite a bit and the traffic is bad depending on time of day. Here your main goal would be to see Sacre Coeur http://www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com/ and also something hidden that our local pointed out is ‘THE I LOVE YOU WALL” http://www.lesjetaime.com/english/lemur.html it’s beautiful.

Spend your time wandering the streets and markets around here, we were not a real fan of the grittier part of town but we hear the shows at Moulin Rouge are amazing http://www.moulinrouge.fr/

EATING:
Dinner & Drinks at Barrio Latino http://www.buddhabar.com/new/en/barrio.php must book if you are on Saint Antoine main road, you walk left about 20mins

Dinner & Drinks at Buddha Bar (near Place de la Concorde/Champs Elysees) must book http://www.buddhabar.com/new/en/buddha.php

Dinner at Bistro D’Henri http://www.bistrotdhenri.com/lang1/ St Germain walking distance from hotel (just off the main boulevard Saint-Germain)

Dinner at Le Pietons Tapas & Bar http://www.lespietons.com/ 15 min walk from hotel towards Hotel De Ville

Dinner at Casa San Pablo 5 Rue de Sevigne, right next to hotel in Le Marais

Dinner at Mazeh, Persian Restaurant http://www.mazeh.com/english/index.html (out of area)

Drinks at Le Dome du Marias near Saint Paul (right near hotel on the main road) http://www.ledomedumarais.fr/

Lunch & drinks at KONG above Kenzo http://www.kong.fr/ near Pont Neuf great lunch spot

Other places to try include:

Lunch at A la Bonne Crepe 11 Rue Gregoire de Tours in St Germain www.labonnecrepe.com/

Lunch at Georges, top floor of Pompidou Museum, on the way to Louvre http://www.centrepompidou.fr/Pompidou/Communication.nsf/0/C802434866E91C8CC1256D9800513026?OpenDocument&sessionM=3.8&L=2

SHOPPING
Shop at Colette 213 Rue St Honore, near Louvre http://www.colette.fr/
Shop at Diptyque Paris in St Germain at least half the price you would pay in Sydney beautiful store http://www.diptyqueparis.com/
Shop at FLEUX 39 Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie in Le Marais www.fleux.com/