Restaraunt Pet Hates

From the Guardian the list that defines them all  HERE - these are not in the order you might experience them here in Australia - or even applicable, but certainly contains my pet restaurant hates - specially websites and booked tables,  its the reason its so easy to take your custom elsewhere - a good restaurant you were looking forward to can so easily turn to a nightmare if it includes any of the following:

Tipping and double tipping

No reservations

Waiters who act like your best pal

Wineglass-filling fascism

Restaurant websites

A nice chat with the chef

'High concept'

Tasting menus of more than 12 courses

'That table is booked'

77%* of restaurants outside major cities

'The table is yours for a two-hour timeslot' Aka table-turning. No, ta. Ta-ta.

Tribute to Fleetwood Mac and Eurythmics

Might not be the first two bands you think of on a double bill.  But, oh gosh, did Oz Eurythmics AKA RhiannonBand work their magic.  2 hours of your favourite tunes form both bands - though I have to say I hear Fleetwood Mac in the house but they are not on my favourite playlists.....  might have to change that.  Anyway the two girls and 3 boys who make up the band certainly got Cheltenham RSL rocking last night.  I had a great night, a pleasant homely dinner in the Bistro and then the band.  Even just people watching was incredibly interesting.  I'm sure there will be a few slipped discs this morning after some of the dance floor activities.

See them here on youtube   http://youtu.be/4oxeZKYXfUQ

Open House - Melbourne 27/28 July

Yes over my Birthday Weekend.

What a great event.  Showcasing the buildings of Melbourne both within and without.  You could visit several of 111 open properties (somehow that smacks of real estate sales) from private apartments to the public baths, from galleries to architects offices and from hospitals to the cemetery!

All have something to offer from surprising views (Orica House and 117 Collins) to tours of private museums (Royal College of Surgeons).

Well I got to see one or two buildings - and then as an informed volunteer I was off to my post giving tours of the Melbourne City Baths.

Watch out for my potted history of the baths to follow......

But I also volunteered a half day to promote the Open House weekend on the prior wednesday.  Wow.  Interesting to chat to some, smile and hand a leaflet to others (something about a leaflet promoting LOVE makes people give you slightly odd looks I found)

 BTW this is not me in the picture!

Anyway I had a good time with my partner in crime for the day - Vicky - and we coped with the Liverpool fans, elderly ladies and Architecture students.  More than that we heard the stories about Manchester Unity Building, old Melbourne and gave transport directions too!

WECOOK4U Melbourne - Italian Cooking class

Fun evening but not too hands on.  A great introduction to basics like making fresh pasta, fruit sauces and ricotta filling. Plus playing with mashed potato to make duchess potatoes - one of my must make dishes,  sadly its very 1970's, but could make a come back. Anyway the group of 20 had a great time interacting and talking food. I have since tried a variation on the saltamboucha we cooked and all the advice proved correct:

heat the oil before adding the food and 

balance the salt in everything and nothing tastes too salty

So a highly recommended intro to Italian cooking, if I had a large kitchen and dining room I would definitely consider Roscoe and Daniel to prep and serve a dinner party, a special occasion like a major anniversary or party. And they are happy to have boozer guests watch the tricks of the trade!  

Just one issue to raise - a little snack would seriously have helped, by the time food was in front of me I was ravenous and badly contained my appetite to make a qualified comment on taste and texture, I just wanted food.  A little nibble to go with drinks would seriously have helped!

Hotel Windsor, Melbourne - 27 July 2013

Full of old world charm and ideals of service, from the liveried doorman, who arranges your bags to your room, and valet parking to the pillow library.  We got a Wotif deal that included a continental breakfast.  Room faced Spring St with a view of Fitzroy Gardens, and triple glazing.   

Called reception for the pillows we wanted, anti-snore, firm and high.  And left for a little shopping and Dinner.  On our return the pillows had been delivered, as had a small birthday cake and a card signed by about 7 of the staff.  a very pleasing end to the day.  Breakfast was 7-10 on Saurday and we enjoyed coffee, 6 types of juice, 7 typed of toast and 4 of pastries, plus porridge and yogurt with a selection of fruits to add.  We stuffed ourselves in preparation for the day ahead!

Only one thing jarred - and that was the slightly too modern for the rooms Art exhibition.  Too much LED lighting, acrylic and pictures of women with paint dripping down their faces to fit ingot the decor of the Hotel.  

The Hotel Windsor Melbourne Victoria on TripAdvisor

FNQ Holiday Part one

Townesville - Cape Hillsborough - Airlie Beach - Townsville

Wow what a great time was had.  We hardly planned our trip at all but luckily were staying with friends in Townsville for a day or so of acclimatisation. And after the cool to cold of Melbourne we needed a moment!

Cape Hillsborough - very pretty, but the best thing was the wildlife.  Possums passed us, wallabies on the beach and wild turkey things nesting beside our accomodation.

Airlie Beach - arrived with no accommodation or plans - loved the Martinique (TripAdvisor link) and reception were so helpful in booking trips.  However, weather was against us and we only managed out to Whitehaven beach for an afternoon.  Still quite stunning.  Hotel apartment was great by the pool and with a balcony/veranda on which to sip wine and eat prawns.

Also visited Montes Resort out at Hydeaway Beach.  An amazing location down 3km of dirt track, definitely a place to rest, gaze at the sea and drink Corona beer (4 in a bucket for $20).  Staff need to upsell a bit but the food was great and we could have stayed all day.  However, we were not offered desert, nor more drinks, so eventually we left feeling a little bereaved not to have lazed the whole afternoon away.

Quick flip back to Townsville for the Queens Birthday Weekend

Chowdhary Indian Restaurant

Off the main Mornington drag

On a quiet Thursday evening in mornington, when the restaurant we wanted to visit was closed (The Social - only open Friday and Saturday) we called in a Chowdary's.  Not terribly prepossessing, we just wanted a quick meal.  No surprises here and the food was typical Indian fair.