So summer has drawn to a close here in London. And with the onset of autumn begins a “new year” in many areas. For one, bible study group will be starting up again in 2 weeks time. I’m quite looking forward to hanging out with our “rebel” group regularly again. Our group is actually moving away from St Helens – we’re joining the church plant at Clerkenwell. So looks like I’ll be going to a new church soon. I’ve already volunteered my piano playing skills for the service. So yay.. I’m gonna be able to play piano again soon.. after so long without. )) Nicely coinciding with this is the start of the courses at Goldsmiths University of London – the PACE (Professional and Community Education) program, which is much like the Sydney Conservatorium of Music access program. I’m gonna audition for the Modern Jazz Workshop. *crosses fingers* Hopefully my skills are enough for the course and I haven’t forgotten absolutely everything I learnt at the Con. It’ll be good to just get playing again. Even if I don’t have a piano at home… some playing is at least better than none. And perhaps I can practice on the church piano…



Current listening :: “Pose” – Justin Timberlake

Anyway, we have a long weekend this weekend! Woohoo!! Plans include Kwai’s birthday bash on Sat (he turned the big two five on Wed), lots of rest and relaxation, church, and the Notting Hill Carnival.

Heheh. I hardly ever get a blowdry these days coz it’s too expensive. In fact its been 5 months since my last hair cut! I know, there’s hardly any difference – I only trimmed my fringe a bit and maybe an inch or two off the dry ends. I’m trying to grow the layers out a bit coz they were cut too short last time.



And finally.. here are some pics of me and kwai’s cooking endeavours recently. Been really getting into cooking at my place coz am trying to save money blah blah. Anyway, I reckon it’s fun to cook, and the food is usually nicer, not to mention half the price.

Current listening :: “First Love” – Utada Hikaru

The Review



I liked the menu (modern french with an asian influence). Between the two of us, we shared 10 dishes, and 3 desserts. Plus 2 cocktails (I had a strawberry caipirinha and Kwai had a peach and passionfruit cocktail), finally finishing with coffee and complimentary petits fours. The menu was really cool – it was kinda like a-la-carte tapas, where you pick from lots of different small dishes – allowing you to sample lots of things at a fairly low cost. A foodies heaven! They also had the chefs selection 7 course menu, with the best signature dishes (from the aforementioned tapas style menu) that work the best together. We ended up choosing the chefs menu, plus 5 more dishes and 1 more dessert. I was absolutely and utterly stuffed by the end… had a major food coma, not helped by the cocktail at the beginning! The price was also really quite good value – which is suprising for a top restaurant owned by a famous celebrity chef. A chefs tasting menu would normally be about twice what we paid. I guess its only been open for a year, so prices might rise later. Not that it mattered this time, as work is paying for the bill. (I’m finally cashing in my reward from that Hoover project a month or so back).



Anyway, we really enjoyed the 3 odd hours spent there. I’d probably rate it as the best dining experience I’ve had in London so far. It was great that the restaurant and staff weren’t stuffy or snobby at all, unlike so many fine dining places. The decor was very modern (perhaps a little cramped, but hey its London), and the atmosphere quite trendy and lively. The service was excellent – the staff were discreet (ie not in your face all the time), polite, friendly and very attentive to details (eg when one of us went to the toilet, a waiter would almost immediately come over, pick up the napkin, shake it out and fold it neatly on the chair for the customers return!!). Oh and it was a NO SMOKING restaurant too! Yay!!!! When a customer at the table next to us started to light up a cigarette, a waiter very smoothly and politely informed him it was a no-smoking restaurant and took the offending cigarette away.. as I sat there silently cheering!! We felt quite comfortable there, more so than other restaurants where the atmosphere feels a bit stiff. And getting to visit the kitchen and meet the chef topped off an already wonderful evening.



Current listening :: “Bubble toes” – Jack Johnson




Those interested… our menu choices consisted of..



Starters:

• Carpaccio of tuna and swordfish with lime and cucumber marinade, soya dressing
• Orkney scallops roasted with spices, peppered golden raisin purée, cauliflower
• Honey and soy roasted quail with Landes foie gras and spiced winter pear chutney
• B.L.T Bacon and onion cream, chilled lettuce velouté, tomato gelée

Mains:

• Daurade Royale with native lobster risotto, lemongrass, Thai basil and lobster glaze
• Roasted brill with provençale cockle vinaigrette, pistou and baby spinach
• Grilled spring lamb with braised lamb neck, cos lettuce, bacon and onions, ras el hanout
• Wood fired squab with parsnip purée, vanilla shallots and reserva sherry vinegar reduction
• Duart salmon, pork belly with choucroute and smoked raisin reduction
• Bouillabaisse of john dory with tapénade, fennel purée and fennel shoots

Dessert:

• Apple and caramel trifle with cider granité, cinnamon doughnut
• Valrhona chocolate fondant with green cardamom caramel, sea salt and almond ice cream
• Carpaccio of rhubarb with yoghurt sorbet and spiced wine sauce

Current listening :: “Mofongo” – Yellowjackets