Weekend in Sydney + food safari

Last weekend (11 - 13May)  I went to Sydney. I took Friday off and flew down at the crack on Friday morning. Went directly to the hair dresser, got fabulous hair – then nana (who also had the say off) came and picked me up. We went for a coffee then for lunch, then home to the cave (we call her house the cave) and got ready for dinner at ‘Morena’. We have a little tradition, every time I cut my hair I ask my (very trendy) hairdresser about the new and good restaurants that he recommends. We then go to that restaurant that same night....
Morena is owned by Peruvian-born co-owner and chef Alejandro Saravia (apparently he has cooked at Britain's Fat Duck), now he is going back to his Latin American roots... Morena is all about Peruvian food and we liked it a lot, great service and exciting menu.

After a lovely amuse bouche (with quinoa) for entrees nana had Ceviche Peruano – Peruvian ceviche w/ pink snapper, cancha & caramelised sweet potato and I had Camarones a la Piedra – Pisco flambé Queensland king prawns, aji amarillo & panca sauce w/ cucumber mint salad. Both were yummy! Nana also had a coca leaf infused pisco sour which was really nice apparently. I don’t drink these days J

For mains nana had a special which was a lamb cooked for ages with lovely veges and puree of some sort (sorry I can’t remember!). I had the Escabeche de Pato – Duck breast marinated in Annatto seeds & Aji mirasol pepper, served w/ caramelised sweet potato & orange purée w/ pickled globe onions& dried black olives. For dessert we had the Crocante de Pecanas– Pecan snaps stuffed w/ chocolate mousse served w/ dark chocolate and rocoto ice cream.....

Are you salivating yet? It was really nice. However we both felt a bit let down by the fact that the presentation did not really live up to the taste. All good though and maybe we are spoilt with so many great Latin American restaurants these days... Have a look here for more details about the restaurant.

On Saturday we went to see the Archibaldexhibition as we do every year. It was as always a grand experience and I already long for next year.... I love, love, love the art gallery of NSW!!

I had lunch with Debbie at Sloan’s Cafe in Paddington. Was great to see her and we had so much to talk about! Then nana and I did a short tour of the Paddington markets where I bought a little top for my god child (who is going to be born in the next month!! How exciting!!)

On Saturday night nana took me out to dinner for an early birthday celebration! We went to one of nana’s old favourite places... Wet paint in Bronte. I have actually never been and to be honest not ever noticed this restaurant ever even though it has been there since 1999. Nopt that I go up this particular street when i am in Bronte – I am usually only on the beach in Bronte so have missed this gem. It is a family restaurant – very popular and have honest and great quality food without being pretentious. Just nice food in a loving environment. We had a lot of laughs and enjoyed our food. We had salt and pepper Calamari with an aromatic salad, Vietnamese dressing and peanuts followed by Louisiana Stuffed Chicken their signature Cajun spiced breast, stuffed with cornbread, sun dried tomatoes and cashews, served with a lemon butter sauce and also King Prawn Spaghettinni with parsley, sage, currants, capers, pine nuts and a caramelized tomato sauce. After all of this we were too stuffed to have dessert and went home to chill in the cave like two nanas. And we loved it!! Thank you for a great night nana!!!!!xx

The day after I flew home and had huge turbulence on the plane and spent most of the flight in the loo being sick. Eeeeks!!! Not pleasant however seeing what a great weekend I had, it was almost worth it.....

                     Ceviche at Morena!                                                               Prawns!                                              

                   

Ohoho and the lovely dessert!!!!                                                                                                                              Lamb!

The Art Gallery of New South Wales....

Below dinner at Wet Paint!  

Salt and pepper squid at Wet paint!

Cajun Chicken - yum !

Prawn Spaghettini

Forgot to tell you that on Friday afternoon i went to SPARKLE cupcakery in Surry Hills and bought 2 cupcakes for us nanas. See I don't usually like cupcakes but these are faaaaaabulous. They are not like normal cupcakes as they are (as far as I am concerned) just boring sponge and heaps of cheap icing that only taste and look fake.... NOOOO these cupcakes are more like mudcake, with the right amount of icing and are just delicious. I also converted nana (who nitially was not impressed with me gettign the cupcakes, as she does not like them either) and she now loves them too.... Please do yuorself a favor and go and try them out. My favorite is this one with dark chocolate. Seriously you will be amazed!!!