tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85634104764667063002024-02-21T13:02:39.053+13:00Sandy Pandy PieAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273613788455409387noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563410476466706300.post-47936650207229227492013-04-25T17:27:00.000+12:002013-04-25T17:30:54.857+12:00Sample Bar - AprilI haven't been busy, I've just been very lazy and too consumed with online shopping to do anything else. This box arrived last week which is great because the other box for March that I haven't been bothered to write about yet arrived very late, only like a week before this April one! So... Sample Bar, still my favourite sample subscription service!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Natural Goodies!</span></div>
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The theme for this box was Eco Chic, so apart from the little easter treat, everything was natural. I'm not normally a natural products person because I love my science and technology in products and what I use works for me, but the whole point of this thing is to try new things so let's see.</div>
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<ul>
<li>Evolu Travel Tower - One Tower</li>
<li>Antipodes Avocado Pear Night Cream - 5ml</li>
<li>Sorbet Shampoo Bar - 40g (approx. I weighed it on my kitchen scales)</li>
<li>Perfumies in Boys Boys Boys - 0.07oz (full size)</li>
<li>Tailor Masque Detoxifying Facial Treatment - 21g</li>
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The only thing I've tried from this box is the perfume stick and man is it strong! I think I could have just put a dot on my wrist and it would have been good enough. Instead, I had to kind of draw an imaginary picture on both my wrists and well... I stink now. It probably doesn't stink, but it's too over powering now for me to concentrate and I do not think I smell pretty. Ugh.</div>
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There is a mask in this box but I'm probably not going to use it on my face because I have too many face masks to deal with now, but I read you can use it on your body and treats cellulite and firms so that's what I'm going to do tonight! So excited!<br />
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and I think next months box has already been leaked online (scandalous!) and I'm even more excited! I love Sample Bar! </div>
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<a href="http://www.samplebar.co.nz/points/invitation/createAccount/invitation/OGZmMTI1NDBjYmFlZWU3ZDFhOGIyYTA4MzNmYjkzOTc%2c/?___store=default" target="_blank">SampleBar.co.nz</a> </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273613788455409387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563410476466706300.post-33503053905079779552013-04-01T17:11:00.002+13:002013-04-01T17:11:52.826+13:00Cameron Japanese Family Restaurant<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8539/8607736209_2f760bf72c.jpg" width="400" /> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Super-sized Menu.</span></div>
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After about a month of facebook stalking (fun times), I was so excited to try <b>Cameron </b>for dinner the other night. They had no raw fish, basically there were only really steaks, curry rice and noodles but that's why it was enticing for some reason, and the fact that the restaurant was hamburger shaped!</div>
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Okay, before it was a Japanese family restaurant the hamburger shaped building existed as a takeaway bar for all the factory/garages workers in the area and that was never appealing, but make a few changes i.e. make it Japanese style... instant love.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Fries</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Takoyaki</span></div>
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For starters we got fries and octopus balls because I love fries... and I know they were just fries and very un-japanese, but at least they didn't try to deceive you in the menu by making them sound japanese-y... they were good for what they were and very reasonably priced.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Tempura Prawn Udon</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sushi Ball Set</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><img height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8115/8608835656_1e5f288133.jpg" width="400" /> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Chicken Cutlet Curry Rice</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><img height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8527/8607731181_5d84c6223a.jpg" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Hamburger Steak and Teriyaki Chicken</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Ribeye Steak</span></div>
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The only thing that disappointed me a little was the changes to the menu, because I like to study a menu beforehand so I don't get too excited and overwhelmed with selection. A few options were crossed out and in their updated menu on facebook today they even permanently cut a few things out. They probably weren't as popular, which is sad because I will never get to try them but then again I only think that because the choice was taken away from me...</div>
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I ended up getting the steak because there was an option to add rice and miso to my dish for $3.50 and I love rice! The weird thing was when they asked if I wanted it in small, medium or large at no extra costs, so of course the cheapskate in me got the large size because it's the same price?! but hey, I may be a cheapskate but I do not waste food, I shared my large rice with my sister and we finished it! </div>
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I did try a bit of my mum's udon which you could also add on a sushi ball set for an extra $2.50 and that was yummy. The udon was nice and chewy while the broth was beautiful and strong, much better than the one I get at the mall! I didn't try the chicken cutlet but the big chunks of beef in the curry was generous and looked very tasty.</div>
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After the main there was a little room for a shared dessert and to be honest, this was the main reason for coming.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">OMG?!</span></div>
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Baked pudding strawberry ice cream sundae. Admittedly they were very unorganised and possibly the baked puddings weren't ready yet because it took nearly an hour for dessert to come, but that was fine because the little room we had for dessert didn't really exist, we just wanted it... and it really was worth the wait. It was like a party in the glass! So, it had whipped cream, the baked pudding, some fruit, chocolate sticks, strawberry ice cream, sponge cake, cornflakes, blueberries and strawberry jelly?! It was amazing! Seriously! </div>
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If there's a lesson to be learnt from coming here, it's that I'm going to have get a smaller main next time so I can have one of these babies all to myself!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273613788455409387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563410476466706300.post-41191160072737941502013-03-18T23:00:00.000+13:002013-03-18T23:00:13.799+13:00Sample Bar - MarchMy Sample Bar package today arrived and with miserable weather and Jack being gone I thought it would brighten up my day... I open the courier bag to be greeted with a slightly battered box garnished with a bow with badly cut ends on the ribbon, open the box and ugh, more black and white.<br />
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Don't get me wrong, after the initial bore of colours (nitpicking triggered by bad mood), I got over it and I actually didn't mind the box this month, still better than the other sample service's goods and value wise, I definitely got more than I paid for, so I don't know why people keep complaining that they got things not suitable for them blah blah blah, they're samples, you don't have to like them, you try them and I challenge you to open a sample service and tailor for every single annoying person out there. People...<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Ooooo!</span></div>
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<ul>
<li>Geoskincare Light Moisturiser - 50ml (full size!)</li>
<li>Carol Priest Almond and Lemongrass Facial Scrub - 15g</li>
<li>Model Co Black Eyeliner - 1.2g (full size)</li>
<li>Spa Ritual Bath Salts - 17g x 2</li>
<li>Bestow Beauty Powder - 10g</li>
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I actually tried the facial scrub today, it burnt my face a bit, nevertheless it looks fine and truth be told, a lot of scrubs normally burn my face so it was good to try even though it wasn't suited to my skin I didn't complain that it wasn't for my skin type or age... actually with all the years I've worked with skincare, I can say that a lot of people don't really know what their skin type is and most of the time it's because they are using the wrong products that makes them think they are the way they are. As for age, I have customers in their 60s with better skin than 20 year olds, so physical age means nothing in skincare.</div>
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Alright, that's my complaining done for the day, such a vicious cycle complaining about complainers... but they started it! :)<br />
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I am excited to try the rest of my goodies though... I only wish I had a bath tub for the salts... I guess I can use it as a hand or foot soak and a beauty powder for eating?! Interesting! Brushed my teeth already for the night, might try tomorrow in my yoghurt, I hope it makes me beautiful :p </div>
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<a href="http://www.samplebar.co.nz/points/invitation/createAccount/invitation/OGZmMTI1NDBjYmFlZWU3ZDFhOGIyYTA4MzNmYjkzOTc%2c/?___store=default" target="_blank">SampleBar.co.nz</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273613788455409387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563410476466706300.post-12497092432865959582013-03-03T15:46:00.000+13:002013-04-25T16:57:28.414+12:00A Crane A DayI'm terrible at origami. I can only make two things, and it's not easy things like a paper plane or a boat which everyone seems to be able to make, I can only fold those serviette crowns that they do at cheap-ish family restaurants and cranes. That is all.<br />
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But cranes are very special and meaningful things for me anyway. You could say that I am slightly emotionally retarded, I don't do feelings that well and probably the worst person to come to if you are sad or happy, it's not that I don't feel them, I'm just not great at expressing them so what I would do instead was fold cranes with a wish inside and give them to people... strange but that's what I do.<br />
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Haven't felt the need to fold cranes in a long time but because Jack has gone for the time being, I folded him a crane to carry with him and said I would fold him a crane every day until the day he comes back permanently.<br />
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So this is my little project for now. Hopefully this page will not get too filled up with pictures of cranes.<br />
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<img height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8230/8519806455_e540c81e16.jpg" width="100" /><img height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8515/8522252761_b0955ac34c.jpg" width="100" /><img height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8532/8527473290_fc0d478172.jpg" width="100" /><img height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8110/8529475445_bde3048838.jpg" width="100" /><img height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8386/8532576675_24a7a49091.jpg" width="100" /><img height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8235/8535345611_f929d74bc6.jpg" width="100" /><img height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8237/8537900355_4081efc70f.jpg" width="100" /><img height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8250/8541586332_aeb830a6d5.jpg" width="100" /><img height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8369/8543241531_6a72bdf896.jpg" width="100" /><img height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8251/8548294856_763f448b64.jpg" width="100" /><img height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8110/8550316299_6c6442bd47.jpg" width="100" /><img height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8519/8554541092_9b71272e8e.jpg" width="100" /><img height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8515/8557168356_65a7922707.jpg" width="100" /><img height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8227/8559607976_18f5754557.jpg" width="100" /><img height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8518/8561971908_24580b8ec1.jpg" width="100" /><img height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8099/8566990524_a597b0e4e2.jpg" width="100" /><img height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8238/8568392426_33c08d23d6.jpg" width="100" /><img height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8510/8570622323_b09ee86bbc.jpg" width="100" /><img height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8092/8574505444_e0443a436e.jpg" width="100" /><img height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8373/8577304814_19bed49288.jpg" width="100" /><img 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height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8260/8639130861_cca6fe5582.jpg" width="100" /><img height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8390/8642770746_7b76ddeb49.jpg" width="100" /><img height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8531/8645379724_2740fb2f14.jpg" width="100" /><img height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8520/8647334107_d04bc67873.jpg" width="100" /><img height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8108/8651946172_60fbb2d44f.jpg" width="100" /><img height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8253/8655107226_aedfe669c0.jpg" width="100" /><img height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8120/8656821955_d8216b2e84.jpg" width="100" /><img height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8116/8660596502_47bd98dca8.jpg" width="100" /><img height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8242/8661951019_1673790b1e.jpg" width="100" /><img height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8247/8664097185_a5ae6be7dc.jpg" width="100" /><img 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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273613788455409387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563410476466706300.post-77393272647966407392013-03-01T20:08:00.000+13:002013-03-01T20:08:27.246+13:00GoodieBoxBetter... but not wowed yet.<br />
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My GoodieBox arrived today a bit before 7.15am. I know this because my alarm is set to 7.15am and the courier man decided not to park in our driveway like most people and waltz on up to the front door. Instead he chose to knock on our laundry door which is next to my room, which would have been fine if it was connected to laundry room but no, the laundry room is connected to just the laundry room so yeah... and he was persistent... most give up and leave a card, this one, no...<br />
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But anyway, my February box arrived on the first day of March...<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Goodies?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Maybe?</span></div>
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If I got this box as my first box, maybe I would have been a little more excited, but I didn't and after receiving my first Sample Bar, this one is good but hmmm.</div>
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<ul>
<li>L'oreal Professional Vitamino Color Shampoo - 100ml</li>
<li>L'oreal Professional Vitamino Color Gel Masque - 75ml</li>
<li>Summer's Eve Feminine Wash - 119ml</li>
<li>Freeman Apricot Creamy Facial Scrub - 6ml</li>
<li>Freeman Avocado and Oatmeal Facial Clay Mask - 6ml</li>
<li>Bodeze Exfoliating Soap - (full size?)</li>
<li>MOR Essentials Hand Cream - 80ml (full size?)</li>
<li>Lord & Berry Lipstique Ultimate Lipstick - .088oz</li>
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More items than last time, generous size shampoo, and I've used L'oreal Professional shampoo so I know they are decent but it's still lacking that one prestige product... maybe I'm just being a bit greedy and possibly a little grudged at the shortened sleep and it being March but they tried, and it is better than last months so I guess I'll keep my subscription for another month...</div>
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Tomorrow is the Lantern Festival but I won't be going this year because Jack is going to Auckland. Hopefully not for too long, but finding a job in this city is harder than we thought it would be so it's a matter of waiting and seeing. He will still be looking for jobs here as well as there but also be doing a semester at Auckland University. </div>
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I've already stocked up on junk food because what do you do when you are sad and lonely? Eat.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273613788455409387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563410476466706300.post-18097803500469819482013-02-20T22:46:00.001+13:002013-02-20T22:46:55.973+13:00Breakfast @ The Farmers MarketMy "holidays" are over. Apart from the sleep ins and hours of doing nothing, the thing I will miss most is being able to go to the farmers market on Saturday.<br />
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Of course it's not as huge and exciting as the ones they have overseas but it was good enough. We still managed to spend over an hour there each time, even though most of time and money was spent on eating at the stalls, we did manage to get a few things for dinner on Sunday (my cooking day).<br />
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So these pictures are from Saturday. We started breakfast with pancakes.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Boysenberry Crush and Vanilla Bean Custard? with Greek Yoghurt.</span></div>
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Okay, I'm not the best with punctuation sometimes, I add commas everywhere, but I found the menu for the pancake place very confusing. Normally if I were listing two or more things together I would insert an "and" at the end of it to know where it finishes, in this case there were just commas after every single thing... so there was definitely boysenberry but with the greek yoghurt I am not 100% sure there was vanilla bean custard with it. It was delicious nevertheless and yes that mini rant was necessary because now I can sleep. At $7 a pancake, it was a bit steep but if I were to make it myself, it would probably cost the same if not more, I would make a giant mess and half the ingredients would go to waste in the end, so would we get it again? Yup.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Gourmet Sausage Rolls</span></div>
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I love sausage rolls. This week I went for the moroccan lamb, and my sister the beef and cheese. Not exactly sure what makes them gourmet but still nice and at $4.50 each, they're cheaper than the ones I get for lunch at the mall.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Gelato</span></div>
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Not exactly breakfast food but a good and refreshing palate cleanser. Lemon and mixed berries, great combination... I didn't have any so I could be lying. $5.50 for two scoops.</div>
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On a little side note, I bought a gelato/ice cream maker on boxing day two years ago, I want to say I haven't used it yet, but I think I can do one better by saying I have not even taken it out of the box. One day...</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Macarons</span></div>
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Macarons for later. I think they were about $16-$17 for six but I got a 10c discount because the girl had no change so that's a little bonus... they look so pretty.</div>
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We also had chicken skewers which looked nice at the time, and they advertised that they use thigh meat, so I thought it would be tender and juicy. Quite the opposite. Not only were they tough and dry, the teriyaki sauce they used was overly salted, never again!</div>
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The ribs and wiener stalls smelt good, but were always very busy and with a time limit, we didn't get a chance to try. No hot chocolates for us either this time because they weren't making them that day... sad but there's always next time... which will be the next time I am forced to take holidays... so... soonish, yay!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273613788455409387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563410476466706300.post-7524822401067464592013-02-18T16:05:00.001+13:002013-02-18T22:10:12.252+13:00Sample BarA while ago I joined this service where they send you out premium samples on a monthly basis for a small price, which I considered exciting and fun because they have them overseas and I'd always been so jealous. We finally have one in New Zealand hooray, and even though I'm paying for it, I love getting stuff in the mail, especially when it's beauty related.<br />
<br />
First package arrived, tore it open in excitement. Totally disappointed. I think I tossed it aside somewhere. When I checked their facebook page there were people complaining about it, so obviously I wasn't the only one disappointed, then I also found out that they did two versions of the box and I got the lame one, so I was a bit annoyed but then someone mentioned another sample service so I immediately did my research and the only thing I was annoyed about was that I did not know about this one sooner?!<br />
<br />
They had pictures of what was in previous boxes and it put the other company to shame, AND price wise it was cheaper because shipping was free! I joined and was on the waiting list for two days and when I got the confirmation... happy dance!<br />
<br />
My box arrived today.<br />
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<img alt="Untitled" height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8087/8483448805_a232378584.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Excitement awaiting...</span></div>
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<img alt="Untitled" height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8101/8483447657_ae79740aae.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">EXCITEMENT!!!!!</span></div>
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I actually haven't tried anything yet because my parcel arrived at 11-ish this morning and I'd already brushed my teeth, done my makeup and it's Monday, last day of no work, I had no energy to paint my nails or moisturise my body but still wow!</div>
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<br /></div>
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I may be a little bias and not that I need any more of it, but anything that has Shiseido in it, take note other sample place, awesomeness! and... this is how you do it!</div>
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Quick run down of what is inside even though the picture is pretty clear:</div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li>Shiseido The Skincare Night Moisture Recharge Enriched - 10ml </li>
<li>ELF Bronzing powder - 5g (full size?)</li>
<li>Lash Card - 10 Mascara Shields (full size?)</li>
<li>Booty Parlor's Flirty Little Secret Firming Cream - 5ml</li>
<li>Tooth Spa Toothpaste - 50g</li>
<li>SB Heart Shaped Toe Separators - 1</li>
</ul>
I will give the other sample service a few more chances but this one is a no-brainer, I can't wait for next months!!<br />
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.samplebar.co.nz/points/invitation/createAccount/invitation/OGZmMTI1NDBjYmFlZWU3ZDFhOGIyYTA4MzNmYjkzOTc%2c/?___store=default" target="_blank">SampleBar.co.nz</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273613788455409387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563410476466706300.post-38444277425261935252013-02-16T17:05:00.000+13:002013-02-16T17:05:17.545+13:00ValentinesSomeone wasn't very prepared this year.<br />
<br />
Trying to get a dinner reservation two days before Valentines Day is really cutting it, in fact we couldn't get a table anywhere.<br />
<br />
Our last try was with <b>Cook N With Gas</b>. Of course they were fully booked<b> </b>but they suggested we go for lunch instead as they would be open for late lunches too. Now I know they don't do lunches so they must have meant <b>The</b> <b>Astro Lounge</b> which is part of their restaurant but the food is very different. To be honest, wasn't really impressed with the whole situation but options were running low and theres nothing worse than being a grump on Valentines Day so we decided to give it a go.<br />
<br />
I knew where to go, and there were signs pointing where to go, but I almost didn't want to go because I'm the the kind of person who imagines the worse and I did not have high expectations to say the least.<br />
<br />
I'm so glad we went. It was very casual but at the same time we felt very calm and relaxed. I'm the kind of person who gets grumpy when it's too hot (amongst a whole lot of other things too) but the shaded dining area in the courtyard was perfect.<br />
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<img height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8382/8472710962_edc9a514b1.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Dining area</span></div>
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<img height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8232/8472709986_01fc232a55.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Jack ordering food (one of my favourite things in life) at the bar</span></div>
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<img height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8110/8472709224_cb39cd2190.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Relaxing with a cider</span></div>
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The menu was simple and very reasonably priced ranging from $5-$35 so we didn't know if the food would be in very small portions or if we needed to order a lot of dishes, and well, I like to eat myself silly. We (I) decided on the Universal Platter, which had nearly everything except the ceviche and I love ceviche so we got that too. We were going to get another platter with the pickles, bread and cheese but decided to give what we ordered a go first and order more later cause they were open late anyway.</div>
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The platter was huge!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Universal Platter</span></div>
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<img height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8225/8472707696_fefeca5440.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Silver Surfer</span></div>
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Huge is one thing, awesome was the other. The thing is, it's really simple food, but it was really really good food and the accompanying sauces, oh my goodness, I think they make their own, if not I need to know where to get that aioli and tartare, I could drink that stuff. I was expecting bar food, not for there to be so much flavour and mmmm in everything. I actually sat there going mmmm after every few bites (every bite would have been creepy). </div>
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Didn't need to order the ceviche in hindsight but still glad we did, it also came with pickled mussels and basil bruschetta. I LOVE ceviche. Did not disappoint! </div>
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Presentation of the ceviche and sauces in the little paua shells, so cute and kiwi. Loved it.</div>
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So... we finished the food (left a few chips though) and I almost threw up from eating too much, but luckily kept all that goodness in my tummy. It was a great Valentines meal. I didn't need to dress up and go to that fancy dinner after all, all I needed was loose clothing, A LOT OF FOOD and Jack.</div>
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<img height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8232/8472711520_3ca356409e.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Roses for Me</span></div>
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and I got roses... I'm not going to lie, I love getting flowers.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273613788455409387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563410476466706300.post-81969028252414419852013-02-15T12:15:00.001+13:002013-02-15T12:15:58.772+13:00Give a little...A week or so ago I got a phone call from the blood centre to ask if I would be in their trial for the new machines that separate my plasma... I really don't know what I'm talking about because I wasn't exactly listening but basically my blood type was needed, please donate blood and something different will be done to it. Okay!<br />
<br />
So the other day I got up extra early, ate breakfast, downed a lot of water and off I went.<br />
<br />
Sounds easy, but the last few times, donating blood has been a rather interesting experience so I don't know why they still wanted me. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to do so, even though needles are frightening and the initial prick test is so traumatising.<br />
<br />
I passed the prick test. Apparently I have tiny veins so there was a bit of difficulty inserting the blood sucking needle and gentleness was required. It stung and gave me a bruise, but it was in so yay take my blood...<br />
<br />
The whole time they were trying to take my blood my machine kept beeping. The nurse reassured me it was fine but after 20 minutes and giving only a quarter of what normal people give, I think she gave up on me. I failed giving blood again :(<br />
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<img height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8110/8471619123_44190d7379.jpg" width="400" /> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Ice pack bandaged up to help ease bruising.</span></div>
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Despite the fail, it was actually a little milestone of mine, it's not much and even though twice I haven't given full donations, but trying counts and it was my fifth donation so I got a little present. I felt so special (really) that I wanted to give them more blood but we all know my body doesn't work like that, so I have three months to convince my body not to be selfish and that giving blood is good.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I earned a cup!!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273613788455409387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563410476466706300.post-1965117981774712572013-02-10T22:39:00.000+13:002013-02-10T22:40:14.693+13:00Happy Chinese New Year! and Anniversary!This year Chinese New Year fell on the same day as our anniversary (we have many anniversaries but this is one of the more important ones), so unfortunately we couldn't have our usual romantic (ha!) date night because it's more about family.<br />
<br />
Lunch and dinner were pretty low key but after some googling I made sure I put a little tradition in our meal. Apparently long noodles to represent long life... I think they were long... dumplings and spring rolls because... there was a reason but I didn't finish reading. I did want to get some sashimi as well but it's not as easy to find as I thought it would be without dissecting a fish myself... which probably with my new present would have been okay (more on that later), but it takes a sushi chef years of training before they are even allowed to slice fish, so it would be disrespectful for me to do so.<br />
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No pictures of food this time *shock horror* but they were mostly store bought so if you really need a picture, they look like what dumplings and spring rolls would normally look like.<br />
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<img height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8512/8461076802_9ab388078c.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">First Red Packet... that's Gold...</span></div>
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<img height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8532/8461076318_0aca123d1a.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">"New Year" Necklace.</span></div>
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Gold and red are auspicious colours to wear, I've never really been one for tradition but I finally found an occasion for my Les Nereides necklace... and it was also kind of my something new for New Years, I did have new shoes somewhere, which would have been more traditional but it didn't match my outfit... hopefully that doesn't mean I've cursed myself for life.</div>
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As for the "more on that later" part...</div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A Knife.</span></div>
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Jack was going to buy me a ring for our anniversary and because I am an awesome fiancé I declined it because he just finished studying and I don't want him to dip into his savings, and secretly, when he gets a job I will want a super duper in your face/jealous/explode ring, so I'm going to wait for that one. So for our anniversary I wasn't expecting anything but then he decided to surprise me, with a knife. A knife. Don't get me wrong, it's a really good knife and to be honest it is a great gift for me because I LOVE cooking and kitchen equipment........ but not as an anniversary present. I traded a ring for a knife?! When I think about it later I will be happy that I got this knife and no I won't be using it to stab anyone (you always read stories in the news of what happens when the other half gives them a knife) but for now, boys are stupid.</div>
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But I love him.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273613788455409387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563410476466706300.post-86556326498347393892013-02-05T21:43:00.001+13:002013-02-05T21:43:58.564+13:00Let's do this!<div style="text-align: left;">
To say I've been busy is a semi lie. Lazy is probably closer to the truth, but... no I really have just been very lazy...<br />
<br />
and then I remembered that this was never meant to be a food blog, I kind of originally wanted something about Jack and I, worst case scenario if one of us get amnesia or something (I get murdered by an axe murderer and secretly leave clues in here to solve the crime), there would be a record... but it kinda ended up that I just really, really like food and all I wanted to do was talk about food... that is not going to solve my murder!</div>
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So for the New Year... Chinese New Year... (still early for that... yes!) I am going to start blogging again (try...). Also, hopefully, time spent blogging also means less time spent online shopping... it could have just been building up to the Christmas/New Years period that shopping took a massive spike upwards but better not take those chances!<br />
<br />
There we have it.<br />
<br />
Chinese New Years Resolution: (I would also like to point out I hate making New Year Resolutions because I don't believe in making changes at a set time, but we'll just go with it for now)<br />
<br />
More blogging, but not just about food...<br />
<br />
But while I still have A LOT of food photos on my camera... (and will continually have A LOT of food photos on my camera) let's not waste them :)<br />
<br />
So these are from October last year, for our anniversary dinner at <b>Kinji</b>. We actually went there last week for my sister's birthday but hungry/greedy people forget to take photos... the food is always AMAZING by the way!</div>
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<img height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8218/8446244497_e3d50b558b.jpg" width="400" /> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Kinji</span></div>
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<img height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8375/8446244095_bcec685d2d.jpg" width="400" /> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sea Cucumber</span></div>
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<img height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8368/8447330930_586b8910d0.jpg" width="400" /> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Wasabi Octopus</span></div>
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<img height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8232/8447329752_e6ab427e10.jpg" width="400" /> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sashimi</span></div>
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<img height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8356/8446241701_dcdd4f6f76.jpg" width="400" /> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Chicken Stuffed Pumpkin Ball</span></div>
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<img height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8049/8447328446_e18d7de23d.jpg" width="400" /> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Soft Shell Crab Tempura</span></div>
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<img height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8214/8447328062_257ce65ceb.jpg" width="400" /> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Scampi Sashimi</span></div>
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<img height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8474/8446240493_bd7fac7f71.jpg" width="400" /> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Scampi Miso</span></div>
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<img height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8193/8447327086_78a721e6c7.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Teppan Grill</span><br />
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Speaking of anniversaries, we do have one coming up this week, but because it coincides with New Years it will be more a family thing this year, so see what happens, we can still do something to make it special!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273613788455409387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563410476466706300.post-25381666864696740652012-09-18T21:54:00.001+12:002012-09-18T21:54:46.031+12:00Sweet Treats Went for a breakfast/dessert date at <b>Strawberry Fare</b> with the girl's from work yesterday as a bit of a treat and because shock horror, none of them had been to the new restaurant before?! I know, how ridiculous! But I got that sorted! and yes the waitress did give us a surprised look when I asked for the dessert menu, do people not eat dessert with breakfast?<br />
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<img height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8042/7994399678_87634dc7b7.jpg" width="400" /> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">French Toast with Fruit</span></div>
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<img height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8178/7994390957_7feecdd247.jpg" width="400" /> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Warm Raspberry Drenched Chocolate Cake</span></div>
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<img height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8305/7994401158_ab012076ed.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Creme Brûlée</span> </div>
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The girls were pretty useless, breakfast and then not finishing their desserts. Admittedly the breakfast was huge but really, it's only like two courses, they definitely would not qualify for my buffet buddy! Looks as if I'll just need to train Jack a little harder...</div>
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My french toast was yummy but possibly a little too eggy, very minor though. It was meant to come with bacon but as I mentioned last time, pancakes, waffles and french toast just don't go with bacon... it's weird! Fruit is much healthier, therefore my french toast was much "healthier"!</div>
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For my dessert I chose the creme brûlée because the daily tasting plate didn't appeal and even though I love the warm raspberry drenched chocolate cake, I need to be less boring sometimes... not that creme brûlée is the most exciting thing ever, but I really like cracking the sugar topping. When I went last time their tasting plate had a berry creme brûlée and it was delish! This one was just alright, it was better when I mixed the berry coulis with it.</div>
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All in all, lunch with the girls was lovely, great to gossip and catch up because seeing each other five days a week is just not enough you know :p But jeepers, wouldn't it be lovely to go on girl dates everyday... one day... </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273613788455409387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563410476466706300.post-65041413377291049032012-08-31T20:02:00.002+12:002012-08-31T21:19:23.349+12:00Lone Star<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 27px;">The plan was lunch, chocolate and a "romantic" beach walk. Originally we wanted to try <b>Joe's Garage</b>, but parking was a nightmare (on a Monday?!) so we flagged that and drove across the road to <b>Lone Star</b>.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 27px;"><br /></span></span>
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<img height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8174/7898374044_624709c175.jpg" width="400" /> </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Salt, Pepper and Sauce</span></div>
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<img height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8456/7898369218_a686524375.jpg" width="400" /> </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Fries with Aioli</span></div>
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<img height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8181/7898371122_170f8effbd.jpg" width="400" /> </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Prawn Star</span></div>
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<img height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8313/7898365044_634954a7fe.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Salt and Pepper Calamari</span></div>
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I've never been to <strong style="font-weight: bold;">Lone Star</strong> for lunch and to my surprise it was fairly pleasant. There were no noisy crowds, long wait periods for the food or an overactive waiter! The menu was a simplified version of dinner but enough to satisfy.</div>
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As usual we had to order fries. If <strong style="font-weight: bold;">Mc Donald's</strong> has taught us anything, it is that YES we want fries with that! They came with aioli, but we were also provided a squirty bottle of tomato sauce, excellent. Fries are fries, they were nice for what they were... okay I loved them, but it's really hard for me not to enjoy fries unless you try to japanify them and fail... moving right along... I ordered the prawn star and Jack, the salt and pepper calamari. We shared of course, one was willingly, the other was begrudgingly because I am SELFISH! There, I said it. Finish.</div>
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After lunch it was off to Governor's Bay for chocolate... Unfortunately <strong style="font-weight: bold;">She Chocolat</strong> doesn't open for lunch on Mondays, and because I didn't get my happy chocolate fix I wasn't in the mood for the beach. That and the weather was changing, I get grumpy when it's windy at the beach... So 1 out of 3 isn't normally a pass but it was still a lovely day so I can't really complain.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273613788455409387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563410476466706300.post-52923690514774066762012-08-20T17:22:00.001+12:002012-08-20T17:27:17.345+12:00Shanxi NoodlesJack is on "holiday" at the moment which means.... dun dun dun... date day!<br />
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There are lot's of places on our eating list, but choosing which one to go to today was a no brainer. <b>Shanxi Noodles</b>! I was a little worried it would be closed by the time we got there because a lot of Chinese restaurants don't open on a Monday and/or close at about 2, luckily this was not the case.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Pretty Setting</span></div>
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When we got there we were very impressed with the decor. I don't know many Chinese restaurants here that bother too much with first impressions, but wow.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Puffs with Spicy Beef</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Knife Cut Noodles and Sauces</span></div>
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I loved the menu. It was full of coloured photos and stories. I panicked a little when I realised we had to start ordering because there was just too much to choose from, however Jack took over and did his thing while I started fiddling with everything on the table. Again, I apologise, as I didn't pay too much attention to the names of the dishes, at least it's not engrish (though I could amuse myself with that) so... yeah.</div>
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The waitress was lovely and even though I had no idea what they were talking about in Mandarin, when she explained stuff or talked, she did it to the both of us, which was really nice because normally they ignore me and I don't exist, but I existed today and I smiled and nodded at things, probably at the wrong time, but still, I existed!</div>
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So, kind of like <b>Zest Noodle House</b> they pull their own noodles, dumplings etc and you can also watch as the chef does his thing through the glass, very cool. I was a little upset that they didn't have hot and sour soup until Jack told me that that was not a traditional Shanxi dish... ah... keeping it authentic then, forgiven, brownie points and I learnt something new today.</div>
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Entrees were nice. The puff things looked interesting/strange when they arrived and originally Jack had wanted to order another dish but I think the machinery to make that dish hadn't arrived yet so he settled for this instead and I had so much fun with them! You lift up the puff and they are hollow for you to stuff the filling inside or play finger puppets with! Don't worry, I'm not that embarrassing, I controlled myself... this time.</div>
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When we ordered the noodles we were told that the large was large and we wouldn't be able to finish it, is that a challenge I hear?!</div>
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We failed :( I was disappointed in myself. There was a lot of noodles. Apparently only one Japanese guy since opening was able to eat and finish the large by himself... Kobayashi? anyway, I'm not sure if the sauces come on the side or Jack asked for them on the side because I think normally you choose only one sauce, but since we ordered the large he chose two so we could have a bit more variety... the black spicy beef sauce was my favourite. </div>
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During the meal Jack commented that they had a nice bathroom so after lunch I took my phone in to have a look and take a picture as you do. They had cute Chinese lantern lights, lucky bamboo and mini flower displays on top of the toilets, but what made it extra special was the pretty bathroom sink... I want one of those...</div>
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and we've decided that we need to have dinner here and eat with more people so we can order more dishes next time. I'm so excited that we've found a new eating place! Food dates are the best!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273613788455409387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563410476466706300.post-25612601838106364292012-08-15T17:20:00.000+12:002012-08-15T17:20:04.921+12:00Eggs on Toast x 2We went to Hanmer Springs a while ago and stayed at Select Braemar Lodge as a bit of a treat and it was wonderful!<br />
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Definitely will go back again but not too often (unless I become super super rich), puts a bit of a dent in the wallet but these things, you have to do once in a while, for sanity and well being so it was worth it.<br />
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We did have dinner but pictures are not ready yet i.e so much effort for now, might have a nap after this to be honest, really tired! So here we have breakfast at their <b>Altitude Restaurant and Bar</b>.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Eggs Benedict</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Eggs Viennese</span></div>
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With the breakfast option it included the "lite breakfast", which was juice, cereals, toast, muffins and croissants, which of course we made good use of. I think Jack was a little disappointed it wasn't a full on buffet breakfast (I train him so well hehe), but it's not a busy place, there was only one other couple there so totally understandable and they had eggs benedict, his favourite, so it was fine, problem solved.</div>
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The eggs were basically the same thing but with different sauces and presentation. I ordered mine because I didn't know what viennese style poached eggs were, and well... I'm still not very sure... is it the sauce or glass? Nevertheless they were lovely, but had I known that I wouldn't have solved the mystery anyway I would have ordered the big breakfast thing with hash browns and sausages... I love sausages! </div>
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Next time.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273613788455409387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563410476466706300.post-84490593695520510762012-08-12T20:49:00.000+12:002012-08-12T20:49:49.612+12:00A Very Naughty Craving!I've been very busy with work... and the Olympics. Olympics as in pretty much glued to the t.v... other than that, I've been so tired and what do I do when I'm tired? Eat food that is very bad for me! <i>sigh</i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Peanut Butter Ice Cream with Chocolate Syrup on Black Sesame Toast</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273613788455409387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563410476466706300.post-14915152892169892662012-07-30T19:37:00.001+12:002012-07-30T19:37:24.643+12:00Something in the water...A little backdated because it's been a very busy month and I have been very good with my eating, I mean I haven't eaten <b>McDonald's</b> in nearly a month (because the queues are so long hehe...).<br />
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Anyway, we decided to go back to <b>Mosaic by Simo</b> because we wanted to try their casseroles this time and Jack really liked their spicy lamb sausages, so much so that I don't think he actually knows the name of this place, but mention the yummy sausages and strange water and he'll know where to go... more on that later...<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Moroccan Lamb and Sausage </span></div>
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The sausages were great and I like how they cut it up and made it look pretty with the lamb filo parcel and salad. Jack enjoyed the filo parcel but I don't think I like quince, that or I bit into something I don't like, but I still ate it.</div>
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The casseroles came with rice, smoked barley or salad. We chose all three of course and they were pretty awesome. I didn't end up eating a lot of the sauce because I enjoyed the accompaniment so much by themselves. We were sharing but I decided the eat the meatball one more because I do like meatballs and his one had dried fruit in it. I'm not a fan of dried fruits, it makes me pull weird faces and the automatic reaction would normally be to spit it out if I don't control myself. It makes me uncomfortable. I did enjoy the sausages and lamb though after I made sure no fruit was stuck to it.</div>
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Finally, the water. There must be something in it to either change the flavour or make Jack crazy. I'm not even sure if I taste it but you know when someone talks and talks about it you think you taste it too... I just want to fit in :p so yeah, I still don't know what makes the water different, if they did have a secret they wouldn't tell us and well, all we know is, the food is good but the main reason we will be back is for their sausages and water... what a sneaky way to keep us coming.... </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273613788455409387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563410476466706300.post-54879370645721881112012-07-17T21:04:00.001+12:002012-07-17T21:04:19.037+12:00Oh So Joyful!On Friday night I was suddenly hit with a cold and the only thing I could think about was how I would not be able to enjoy <b>Joyful</b> if I was sick... sad but true.<br />
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Saturday happened, took a lot of cold medicine to suppress the symptoms but side effects included chest pains, vomiting and totally spacing out (possibly even the sudden violent outbursts at Jack but yeah...). That did not stop me thinking about pan fried dumplings and wontons though... and then it happened... we had <b>Joyful</b> for dinner! I had to make it happen though... Someones birthday? My shout! It's all about them... (not really I just wanted me some goodies!)<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Pan Fried Dumplings</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Deep Fried Wontons</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Wonton Soup</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Roast Duck</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Deep Fried Garlic Ribs</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Stir Fried Green Beans</span></div>
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Dinner was at 7.30 because that's the only time we could get a booking. It was really busy. New place was great, so much closer to home and work. Jack and I already agreed that we would go after work for supper on Thursdays!</div>
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Food came really quickly despite the crowds, dumplings were perfect. Oh how I missed them! The deep fried wontons were huge. Jack was nearly full from the dumplings and one and a half wontons... pathetic I know, I may have to abandon the idea of making him my buffet buddy.</div>
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My favourite was the wonton soup, of course. The soup needed a little more flavour but that could have also been because I was sick so it's all good, the wonton meat was as springy as ever and because I strategically placed it closer to me, I got to have extra. I almost forgot I was sick. You can not get better wontons anywhere. Seriously! I need that secret recipe! Dad worked there for a while and his wontons are good and got better, and Jack agrees that dad's wontons are better than most restaurants, but not good enough to beat these ones damnit... <i>sigh</i></div>
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Because you can't just eat dumplings and wontons for dinner (you can but I don't want to look cheap if I'm paying for dinner and make them eat the entrees) we also ordered the roast duck, ribs and green beans. They were nice and filled everyone up lovely despite being the "small" size, we even had leftovers to take home... no wontons though, those babies were all in my tummy!</div>
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I'm so happy they are up and running again, they still sell their birthday/celebration cakes and have mini cakes you can order for dessert, but the rest of their bakery business is going to be open at another location sadly at a later date. I miss their breads... I can't wait for that to be open too,then it would be awesomely prefect, but their wontons will keep me super happy for now... :)</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273613788455409387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563410476466706300.post-38976371443363024082012-07-12T21:54:00.000+12:002012-07-12T21:55:04.189+12:00Shanghai Bistro<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Couldn't be bothered cooking the other night because it was only the two of us so we went out for a little dinner date. I love dates! :)</div>
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We were very excited because a new Shanghai restaurant had recently opened, which means..... xiaolongbao! oh yeah! Actually when we got there we noticed the new restaurant next door that looked a whole lot more exciting because they also had buns AND hand pulled noodles! ...but they weren't officially open so we disappointingly had to stick with our original choice...</div>
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I can't speak mandarin chinese and sometimes that is a disadvantage because whilst Jack went to scope out the restaurant next door leaving me to get a table, I got pushed in front of twice for a table. I think Jack thought I was pissing around when he came back and everyone was seated except us.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Soup Dumpling</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Hot and Sour Soup</span></div>
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Apparently they can only steam 3 dozen xiaolongbao at a time and as we were last to be seated *<i>grumble*</i> we had to wait a bit before we got our dozen because you don't go to a Shanghai restaurant and not order them! They were pretty good and the wait was forgiven.</div>
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The hot and sour soup wasn't that bad either but it didn't have woodear fungus and generally just lacking in ingredients but flavours were nearly there.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Sweet and Spicy Fried Tofu</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black; font-size: x-small;">Spicy Chicken Hot Pot</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Candy Meatballs</span></div>
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I may have made the candy meatballs name up but I'm sure I heard someone call them that... they were soooooo tender. Apparently if made properly you don't even have to chew because it just melts in your mouth but I think that would be a very high up chef skill, nevertheless these fellas got very close. It was almost weird but a very interesting experience.</div>
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The tofu was yummy. I don't normally like tofu but the sauce was really addictive and nice with rice...</div>
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Chicken hot pot came with a fiery flame and started spitting spicy juices at us throughout the meal which is fine because oil based foods need to be kept hot and boiling. Lots of chicken, Jack ate a few pieces and I had to finish because he sucks and my goodness every time I scooped around the pot I found more chicken! </div>
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Overall the food at <b>Shanghai Bistro</b> was decent but I could not stop thinking about it's neighbor <b>Shanxi Noodles</b>. There were a few things on the menu that we would be interested in trying next time maybe but probably not the following...</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Dodgy Looking Duck...</span></div>
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I seriously hope that duck soup does not have a duck head floating in it staring at you. Perhaps they got pictures of food from the internet? Is that appealing to anyone? It's looking at you?!</div>
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On a side note, <b>Joyful</b> is officially open today and was going to make a trek out there to get wontons and pan fried dumplings but I spoilt my appetite with some ice cream (two big scoops with whipped cream and chocolate fudge sauce) and too much dinner... and maybe some Godiva chocolates... and a handful of nuts, to be fair are good for me (wontons and dumplings were meant to be supper... see that's why I put on so much weight). I won't be kept away for too long though, they're so much closer now that it might possibly become a weekly thing like the good ole days when dad worked there and brought them back for my sister and I every Friday night after work. I can't wait!</div>
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So excited!</div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273613788455409387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563410476466706300.post-5376750529285241952012-07-07T19:56:00.000+12:002012-07-07T19:56:58.199+12:00Fast Food in RotoruaAfter lunch at <b>Eight</b> <i>*drool* </i>we set out for a long drive down to Rotorua. By the time we got there it was dark, the place we stayed at did not look like the pictures, in fact I was convinced that it was haunted and ended up screaming in the middle of the night when I saw a shadow... which was just the chandelier but yeah... anyway, after we checked in we went for a dip in the thermal pools and had a very disappointing dinner which probably set me towards the bad mood and may have resulted in the whole ghost thing... dinner is very important! It can mess with your head.<br />
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The next morning <b>McD's</b> saved the day with their mc muffins, hash brown and free wifi and off we went to explore the beautiful Waimangu Volcanic Valley.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Beautiful Colours</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Steamy</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Matcha Pool?</span></div>
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Google maps took us to the wrong place, which turned out to be the right place because we got the names confused and therefore we ended up at Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Wasn't really prepared for a 2-3 hour walk, mentally and physically but at least I wasn't wearing a skirt. </div>
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It rained heavily on and off. For two hours we did not see a single soul and with the bubbling steamy water and heavy rain I thought we were going to die... We finally made it to the bus stop after two and a half hours because we had to skip some of the advanced tracks (there were warning signs that said it wasn't recommended for children, elderly and unfit persons... unfit person tick!) and finally people!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Lion Cubs</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Rawr!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Photobombed!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Kune Kune</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Cutey!</span></div>
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With time to spare the brochures said we could pet lion cubs at Paradise Valley Springs Wildlife Park... who could say no to that?! On the way I joked that the only wildlife they had were lions... I wasn't wrong... nevertheless it was AWESOME! The cubs were so cute but being cubs they got tired easily and lay in their pen for the majority of the time we were there... and the farm animals! Jack did most of the feeding because I was awfully scared they were going to eat my hand and when I tried I looked like that...</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">EEK!</span></div>
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Yeah... I loved it. Small wildlife park but more hands on. Would love to go back, the animals were sooo cute! </div>
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Before the long drive back to Auckland we stopped at <b>Wendy's</b> to refuel. We don't have a <b>Wendy's </b>back home because of the earthquake so it was really a treat.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Wendy's!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Spicy Chicken Burger</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">BBQ Bacon</span></div>
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The chicken burger was a bit dry but everything else was good... in respect to what we had eaten since the night before. We upsized and I'm not sure how big the drink was but for the three and a half hour drive back I only managed to finish half of it... </div>
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oh and we nearly hit a guy in Huntly... to be fair, everyone nearly hit the guy... probably his intention though... but we made it safely back to Auckland in time for dinner and so that ended our mini road trip.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273613788455409387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563410476466706300.post-40455046142443010452012-07-04T17:10:00.001+12:002012-07-04T17:10:37.315+12:00Eight at The Langham<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"></span><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Eight is an exciting culinary destination offering eight open, world kitchens taking diners on an unforgettable culinary journey.</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At Eight dining is a journey, and every destination is as fascinating as the next. No two meals are the same. What is the same is the quality, passion and freshness of the food prepared at each of the eight kitchens that comprise this exciting culinary journey, as you create your own personal degustation.</span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Plate 1</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Indian Curries</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Desserts</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Desserts</span></div>
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I was at the doctors today for a routine check-up and she doesn't normally tell me to hop on the scales but she took one look at me and told me I'd put on weight :( I put on 4 kilos! It's on my record now too!</div>
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Possible contributing factor (of many), <b>Eight at The Langham</b>! Above are just a small selection of the goodies I ate for lunch that day. It did get a bit messy and over indulgent after the first few dishes. The sushi and dessert stations were my favorite because I didn't have to wait for the chef to cook it. We ate for two hours and Jack had to give up, I could still keep going but it's not fun eating alone... and they had a pink chocolate fountain!</div>
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Definitely worth the price and can't wait to go back. Need to work out a strategy for eating though, because while eyeing what every other table was doing I noticed that they must have been seasoned buffet eaters and worked as a team, for me with food it's every man for themselves but then you waste time and don't eat as much, need to work out a strategy and train Jack's stomach!</div>
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Thank goodness we don't have awesome buffets down here... </div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273613788455409387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563410476466706300.post-55277214653344656662012-07-01T22:07:00.002+12:002012-07-02T11:19:02.756+12:00Night Market @ Westfield Glenfield North ShoreSo after dinner at <b>Tatsumi</b> we checked into our hotel, sat around for a bit and then ventured off to the night markets for food... and yes we were very full from dinner, but the night markets only happen on the weekends and it was Sunday already!<br />
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Wow. There were so many stalls and everything looked and smelled so good. We walked around for a bit to try and walk off dinner (didn't help) and then made the hard decision to settle on a few things to eat.<br />
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<img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7134/7476929500_69dcaf72e5.jpg" /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Crab and Prawn Yaki</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Spicy Grilled Squid Legs</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Caramel Filled Churro</span></div>
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After Japan day's disastrous takoyaki experience, I wasn't too enthused with these little morsels. However, this stall we found didn't just offer takoyaki, they had crab and prawn "takoyaki"! They were amazing. After eating one of these juicy pillowy balls I remembered I was still extremely full from dinner but I could not let my stomach down! </div>
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We should have stopped after the balls but you know... we found a grilled lamb and squid stall. Back home at the lantern festival we got ripped off by the lamb kebab stall so we did not have high expectations but not only were these kebabs cheaper, they were much tastier too! The squid was hard to eat until Jack told me that if I was going to eat street food I was not allowed to be a lady! Got it!</div>
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Dessert was a jumbo churro filled with caramel. Jack wanted the cheese filled one but they sold out. I don't normally like caramel but yum... and how do you take a picture of a jumbo churro without it looking dodgy?</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Morning in Auckland</span></div>
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We stayed at the Hilton. Get this, we even got a drink from the mini bar! How luxurious. HA HA! It was really nice. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Adidas Horse</span></div>
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and there was a horse in the opposite building to greet us... ? </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273613788455409387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563410476466706300.post-31852216871637885202012-06-29T21:10:00.000+12:002012-07-02T11:26:08.769+12:00One Year and Twenty Four Days Later....<b>Tatsumi</b>. SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!<br />
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Being the restaurant we had our awkward first date at, it holds a very special place in our hearts.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Interior.</span></div>
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When we arrived, a minute after 5.30 because I hadn't mastered google maps yet, it was empty. In hindsight, I probably didn't need to book a month in advance but it's better to be safe than sorry and I probably would do it again because I love this place. It was lovely inside, we were promptly seated and given a drinks menu to study and the table next to us in the photo is where we would later be seated. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Monkey and Dragon.</span></div>
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The reason why we were moved was because Jack had to make it awkward and spill his cocktail all over the table. They were so nice about it though and replaced his drink as well. At <b>Tatsumi </b>they do their own japanese inspired cocktails based on the chinese zodiac and even though we're not monkeys and dragons, they sounded tastier, and they were.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Complimentary Appetiser</span></div>
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Anything that's free makes me happy, even if it's something little, I'm yours. Smoked salmon with avocado in pastry cup. Simple but flavorsome. And FREE!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Fish Carpaccio</span></div>
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We decided to go for the degustation menu and share the choices so we could eat more things but had to add the carpaccio because it's always been our favourite dish and no one does this better than they do. NO ONE! </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Assorted Appetizer</span></div>
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First Course. This was awesome. I've never had gooseberry in my life and then Jack broke into his story telling mode about it, long story short, i thought it tasted like tomato but I am wrong. Anyway, left to right, top to bottom, oyster shot in tomato vodka concotion (bloody mary?), marinated fish (Jack loved this), fried fish, edamame beans with lotus root, duck and gooseberry (so tender) and beef tataki.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Pan Seared Scallops</span></div>
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Second Course. With a parsnip puree and miso beurre blanc sauce. Jack was very kind and let me have the extra scallop. We were very behaved and did not lick the sauce.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Variety of Sashimi. Tuna, Salmon and Blue Cod</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Tempura Soft Shell Crab</span></div>
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Third Course. Only thing I didn't like about this dish was the goat cheese in the salad, but that's because goat cheese tastes too farmy for me and I haven't quite acquired the taste for it yet. Other than that, delish!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Crispy Skin Salmon Teriyaki</span></div>
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With creamy wasabi mashed potato, portobello, onion rings and blue cheese tortellini. This was very filling despite only being in mini form and the mash was sooo good. I'm ashamed to say that I was actually nearly full after this.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Assorted Tempura</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Canterbury Wakanui Blue Beef Steak</span></div>
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Main Course. Tempura is pretty straight forward. The dipping sauce was nice and warm. The beef was accompanied with polenta crisps, a puree, mixed mushrooms (apparently according to Jack) and a pickled ginger shoot which they explained could only be eaten at the fat end but that did not stop Jack from trying.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Assorted Nigiri Sushi</span></div>
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Sushi Course. I discovered that I love scampi. It tastes so much like crayfish. Jack gave me half of his :D then I discovered (so many discoveries that night) that I am possibly allergic to raw scampi and crayfish because my mouth went a bit numb, throat got scratchy and I started swelling around my mouth, not the first time this has happened but I survived, it was very mild and not going to deter me, I want more!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Scampi Miso</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Scampi Battle</span></div>
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This was so cute. A little twist to the miso in a teacup and because we're not very mature and to be honest, why wouldn't you?! Scampi battles! I like to think my scampi won. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Green Tea Fondant</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Black Sesame Creme Brûlée</span></div>
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Dessert. We got to choose our own desserts and like the good old days, we chose our favourites. As usual Jack shared most of his and I was very stingy with the sharing of my fondant... it was too good! I gave him my candied orange though!</div>
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Dinner was a two hour affair and the first hour we were the only ones in the restaurant. When we left another table came. I hope they get busier because they really are a wonderful restaurant and I can not wait to go back to Auckland to eat everything else on the menu with the fish carpaccio as well of course...<br />
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They don't have pictures on their website yet but they do have a delicious sounding menu which I frequent weekly, if not daily... definitely worth a visit.<br />
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<a href="http://www.tatsumi.co.nz/" target="_blank">http://www.tatsumi.co.nz</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273613788455409387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563410476466706300.post-24647111012108271342012-06-15T20:36:00.000+12:002012-06-15T20:36:03.187+12:00Keeping Warm for WinterIt did snow. Only for a day, and I still had to work so it was not as exciting as I would have imagined. Then our bird died so that was sad and a bit depressing... but we'll stop talking about that because we don't need tears right now.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Snow Snow</span></div>
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The only thing I like about winter now is that it's the start of hot pot and spicy food season. Well, spicy food is any season but it's extra satisfying on a cold winter's night.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Spicy Cold Chicken</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Spicy Cold Pork</span><br />
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I can't remember the English names of most of the dishes, nevertheless, I don't think they were much more descriptive and helpful like mine, so yeah. </div>
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I love the cold entrees at <b>Daphne's</b>. If I was ever on a budget (which I probably should put myself on) while eating out, I'd just order those two dishes. Probably just ordering the chicken would be enough but I like fatty pork and tend to eat myself silly a lot, so extra is needed. The sauces (the chicken is a slightly numbing szechuan peppercorn spicy sauce and the pork is a slightly creamy and spicy garlicy sauce) are great with rice.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Garlic Gai-Lan</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Oyster Sauce Tofu</span><br />
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Ordered two non spicy dishes mostly for my sister because she can't handle the heat well and they were nice. The tofu was very soft and veges were tasty but very expensive for what they were. I could have ordered three chickens for the price of those veges. It doesn't pay to be "healthy" does it?</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><img height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7103/7175169521_532b16e43f.jpg" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Hot and Sour Soup, Dan Dan Noodles and Spicy Fish</span><br />
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My two favorite soups in the world (seriously) are tom yum and hot and sour soup. Unfortunately they seem to be the hardest soups to make and not many places get it right. The hot and sour soup here was okay, we had to add more vinegar to it but it was lacking some hot and sour soup basics (bamboo, wood ear fungus... there was a story about wood ear fungus and how it's good for something maybe lungs and miners in china used to have it and something possibly relating to the soups origin but I tune out when the story gets too long so I do not have the full story to tell). Jack even proclaimed that I made a better version and the first time I made that soup for him he didn't even know what I made, so brownie points for me! </div>
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The fish is served on a constantly heated dish so the oils in the sauce don't glug up and I'm not a big fish with bone eater but the tidbits underneath and around the fish that has absorbed most of the juices is divine. Yum.</div>
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Noodles were a little soft but my sister ate most of it and she likes soggy noodles so it was a win for her. AND it got her to drink a whole jug of water!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><img height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7092/7175172371_31b917fbbd.jpg" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Spicy Lamb Ribs</span></div>
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The last dish to come was Jack's favourite. The lamb was infused with a spicy cumin flavour and the little wonton chips made the dish fun for me.<br />
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We don't normally eat Chinese food for dinner because it can get a bit boring and repetitive but <b>Daphne's </b>offers a decent amount of szechuan style dishes that are really delicious and their menu is pretty, with pictures that actually look like the food. Daphne herself (OMG it's her restaurant) is probably the nicest person working in a Chinese restaurant, which is a nice change, but she's probably a bit too nice for her own good sometimes.<br />
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It's nine days until I go to Auckland, did intend to eat a bit less to look good in my swimwear but you know... s*$! happens.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273613788455409387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563410476466706300.post-36417469203361362842012-06-05T17:01:00.001+12:002012-08-20T22:02:47.198+12:00Yummy Yum ChaThe past week I've been super excited because Jack booked tickets to go to Auckland this month and I get to go to <b>Tatsumi</b>! I've already booked the table (a month in advance is not too eager...) and studied the menu, so it's going to be awesome!<br />
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We're also going to Rotorua for some hot pools action so I better somewhat control myself in the food area so I can still fit into my swimsuit the next day.<br />
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<img height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7230/7155001689_dac67afa3e.jpg" width="400" /> </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Turnip Cake, Congee and Cold Chicken Feet</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Beef Brisket Rice Noodles</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Tripe</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><img height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7100/7155009215_d210bba509.jpg" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Shrimp Dumplings</span></div>
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Yum Cha staples:</div>
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shrimp Dumplings (Har Gau)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Steamed Pork Dumplings (Siu Mai)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Steamed Pork Ribs</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Steamed Chicken Feet</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BBQ Pork Buns</span></li>
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I don't eat steamed chicken feet because it reminds me of wrinkly old ladies. I'm not the kind to be all ewww gross, feet, I mean I eat chicken so it's still chicken and I'm not disgusted by it in that way, just my brain just doesn't like the look of them. I will however eat them the other way because the texture is crunchy and I like how <b>Red Bowl</b> mixes it with sesame and chilli oil. Mmm oils.</div>
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I love pork ribs but I can't eat half of the pork ribs yum cha places offer because of one ingredient they add, and unfortunately they do add it. In Chinese cooking sometimes dried fruit peel is used with beef and pork to do something with the flavour and I hate it. Even if the amount is minuscule, it's the first thing I can taste and it's almost an instant gag reflex that I can't ignore <i>sigh</i>. So no yummy ribs for me.</div>
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As for the steamed pork dumplings and bbq pork buns, didn't really feel like it to be honest. </div>
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I don't normally get time to take photos when I'm at yum cha and we go a lot. Traditionally it is a relaxing tea drinking affair but realistically there's such a rush and thrill to it that you just eat and leave. It's okay here for now, but apparently in a lot of other places they actually put time limits on how long you can be there for?! The pressure. </div>
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Food at <b>Red Bowl </b>is nice, the one thing I think they do better than any other yum cha place in the city is their congee. It might not be anything amazing to look at, it's rice porridge, white glug, and sometimes you may have to adjust the flavor yourself slightly, but the consistency of that glug for people who know how to eat it that way is perfect and it has never disappointed me!<br />
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I also really enjoyed the english love songs they had playing, I haven't heard Boyzone and Wet, Wet, Wet since high school and it was great to reminisce about the good ole days... </div>
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Now, I wonder if it will snow tonight and if I will still have to go to work tomorrow if it does... </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273613788455409387noreply@blogger.com0