The Bridge Room

So, when I said that the last restaurant post would be it from me from Sydney for a while... I was wrong. I managed to sneak in a farewell dinner.... as you do.

I'm a lucky girl. I have lots of great male friends - many of whom, due to the nature of things,  are in the business of food and when we go out to eat - we don't mess about. Inevitably somebody at the table knows the chef at the particular establishment we are dining in and we are often more than happy to let he or she do the honours when it comes to ordering  - its not only a great way to access a good cross section of the menu but it gives those of us who work with food on a daily basis a break from having to make yet another food related decision in our down time (Oh *cringe* that sounds so freakin' pretentious and ungrateful - but it is what it is! Sometimes you just want someone else to take the reigns)  - and nothing like that lovely element of surprise when it all gets laid out in front of you! 

The space is elegant,  inviting and damn comfortable  - in fact it feels a bit like eating at a mate's place who has really good taste in home furnishings... the food is seriously good yet not intimidating - it a cohesive collaboration on many levels....

The Bridge Room has scored with hubby and wife team Ross and Sunny Lusted at the helm.  I won't rabbit on about all their accolades as you can read that most anywhere else - but suffice to say - they know their stuff. And, as we knew he would, Ross sent us out the perfect amount of delectable nosh. And gave me a couple of tips for Kyoto restaurants while he was at it!

Lennox Hastie and Luke Nguyen sampling the excellent oysters...

Hello raw wagyu shoulder with fresh horseradish, smoked enoki and pickled chillies...  a fine dish to consume just prior my re-entry in to Japanese life

 Lovely to he reminded of the sweet-tart nuances and fresh aromatics of such a simple but winning combination - tomato, basil and garlic

       

Sweetbreads with green garlic and shredded asparagus. I'm a sweetbread kinda gal and these goooood...

Ash grilled duck breast with vincotto set figs, mustard fruits and red chard... needless to say - win! 

cheese course... why not? Comte, Fromage D'affinois and Fourme d'Ambert with crackers, some excellent fruit bread and  crisp wafers of pear

Imagine a crisp meringue cloud filled with yoghurt cream, fresh, sweet strawberries and  - fun for all the family - strawberry fruit leather or "paper" as stated on the menu.... fab!

John Fink and Lennox tucking in to the fruit leather

Lukey being a little more polite....

Thanks for a great night guys (see you in Japan!). And to Ross and Sonny - the perfect hosts....

xx

Chicken Run

Just four more sleeps in a single bed in mum's spare room and I'll be winging my way to Kyoto. I've hit a wall. The lead up has been a little stressful to say the least but I guess a lot needs to happen to allow one to leave your home for an indefinite period - finishing off major projects, refurbishing, cleaning, packing, refinancing the mortgage, dealing with real estate agents and tenants, moving my stuff into storage and myself into my old bedroom - plus running around performing all those departure-related tasks and spending way too long on the phone with well, phone companies, health care funds, insurance agencies, airlines and the like.  Then of course setting up meetings in countries with people I don't know and organising reunions with those I do. 

But the hardest bit of all this is saying goodbye to my beautiful friends and family. I've been avoiding it as much as I can because it is a terribly emotional time and I don't want to lose the plot completely before I get on the plane! So I have been starting gently - spending time last weekend with my oldest friend Vanessa's family -including her 3 precious chooks.  It was relaxing and a rather healing to spend a few hours zoning out while I observed them all go about their afternoon chores, music practice and simply playing in the sunlight. It was almost like I wasn't there yet I felt entirely included while I sat plonked, lump-like, on a step  - these guys are family to me. 

I so admire my friends for turning their suburban backyard into an edible garden and daily egg supply (and chook poo) unit! Nothing like cooking dinner with your own veggies and breaking into runny fluorescent yolks in the morning. Something to aspire to on my return... whenever that may be.  I will miss this. 

Fun for all the family...

Newmarket

Ooops  - almost forgot to add this one.... its only a month or so since I was last in Melbourne... or is it longer? I don't really know at this point - my head has been stuck in the book shoot and now my focus is on getting out of my place and on my way to Kyoto. This is likely to be my last  Aussie restaurant post for a while... It might end up being the shortest too...

In amongst all the worky stuff it was so lovely to lunch with my gorgeous mates Sharlee Gibb, Matt Wilkinson and Master F -the best fed baby in town. While I recall enjoying shovelling tasty tidbits into my face we were far too busy talking and playing squeeze the bub for me to take much notice of the detail... so I will apologise for making this so brief and just let you have a squiz of what's on offer.