Easter Feasting with Family and Friends
And so another public holiday rolls around bringing with it an extra long four day weekend…cue a marathon of festivities with family and friends enjoying far too much wine and copious amounts of food!
Kicking things off in the office, we hosted an Easter themed morning tea with a spread of hot cross buns, hundreds of chocolate eggs and the obligatory mimosas. I was surprised to see alternative hot cross buns flavoured with apple and cinnamon or chocolate chip – I prefer the classic English style packed with juicy fruits, popped in the toaster and covered in lashings of strawberry jam.
On Good Friday I was invited to the family BBQ in Maroubra where my in-laws treated us to an afternoon and evening packed full of food. As one of the entres, I helped my cousin bake the cob loaf which is a dish definitely not for the faint hearted! Made by hollowing out the centre of the bread and then pouring a mixture of mozzarella, cream cheese, spinach and seasoning inside, the cob is baked in the oven to melt the cheese and crisp up the removed bread pieces for dipping. The result is the most irresistible, mouth-watering pool of cheese perfect for dunking bread, crackers or even veg sticks. Once the cheese was all finished, it was time to break open the remains of the crust which had soaked up all that tasty filling.
As Catholics they traditionally don’t eat meat on Good Friday, so the theme of the night was seafood. First up were tiger prawns so fresh that they were a deep red in colour and only needed a squeeze of lemon to compliment the flavours. Onto the BBQ and the octopus was expertly seared in a light sauce. I think this was some of the best octopus I’ve ever had as it can be easy to overcook and turn chewy, but this meat was deliciously succulent.
Finally sitting down to the beautifully laid dinner table, first course was mussels. These were cooked simply in a tomato marinara sauce to let the taste of the scrumptious mussels come through.
Main course was salmon seared on the BBQ to achieve that crispy skin. Everyone made their contribution of sides including exquisite salads and even a creamy, golden potato bake which I simply couldn’t resist.
To finish off this indulgent evening of sensational food, my uncle served up his famous homemade lemon cheesecake topped with raspberries and whipped cream. Just when I thought I couldn’t fit another bite in, I proceeded to have almost three slices of the cake! This was the perfect end to a truly exceptional night of food which I don’t regret a minute of. I am truly thankful for my family’s hospitality and the unforgettable Easter feast we shared together.
With daylight savings now meaning the sunsets around 5:30pm, pastel colours paint the sky and splash the harbour with that majestic haze each evening I walk home. This sight never fails to make me smile and feel so grateful for being right where I am in life at this moment in time; Sydney, you stole my heart ❤
However journalling is something I only began doing when I first embarked on my trip here to Sydney over a year ago. After my friend brought me a beautiful journal as my leaving present, I have continued to keep a diary ever since. Now onto my third book, I have a unique record of my travels here in Australia which provides a whole other perspective to the photos. Keeping a journal gives me opportunity to reflect on moments in life, both the good and the bad. I like to add little memos to my diary too such as tickets and receipts to remind me of all the places I’ve been.
I would be the first to admit my journals are certainly no novel and definitely lack a decent amount of grammar (usually my worse nightmare). Yet those words capture all of my thoughts even when I’ve faced challenges and spark fond memories of the adventures I’ve been on. It has definitely been quite a journey and as I continue to stand on my own two feet on the other side of the world, I will
The first race was at 12:15, so we all got to the racecourse by midday to grab a spot by the track whilst still in prime location near to the bar! It was a swelteringly hot day, so between a few glasses of bubbles I sipped on diet soda all afternoon to stay hydrated.
Unlike the typical races back home in the UK, I was surprised to see that the dress code and general atmosphere here in Australia is a lot more informal. With benches laid out on the grass and food vans selling mostly hot chips and burgers, it was certainly a far cry from the fine dining options and lavish outfits of Royal Ascot. Nevertheless, everyone from our company made an effort and got spruced up for the occasion, especially all the gals!
It was fascinating watching the horses which are so incredibly fit with their veins protruding from their muscles following the race. Now I can truly appreciate the power and skill of these highly trained, magnificent creatures.
It was a glorious day getting to mingle with my work colleagues as we basked in the sunshine all afternoon cheering on the horses as we placed our bets. I love any excuse to get dolled up and it was lovely to see everyone enjoying some down time away from the office.
With my hectic 9-5 job consuming the majority of my week and constantly booking out weekends socialising with friends, I forget how wonderful the quaint corner of Sydney I live in is. Looking back over my diary so far this year, it’s been so busy with something happening every weekend since I moved to Lavender Bay. So having made the conscious effort to be selfish and nourish my soul on Sunday, my body as well as my tired head, thanked me for it this week as I started Monday fresh and ready for the demands of my high pace PR job!
As the tunnel fills with a maze of stalls, the good vibes weekend atmosphere echoes amongst the hustle and bustle of Kirribilli streets.
Whilst the sun beats down and eager shoppers feel the heat, the cluster of fresh drink and food stands provide gourmet offerings from numerous cuisines.
Out on the green spills the recycled fashion stalls where vendors eagerly sell off clothing for a fraction of their worth. If you’re lucky (and patient enough to have a good route in the bargain bins), you’ll find yourself walking away with barely worn designer pieces for as little as $5!
Chatting with the friendly sellers, there’s also opportunity to practice your haggling skills and negotiate a good price. With a modest changing room setup behind the park shed, you can even try before you buy.
I was excited to see if these Wrangler shorts would fit but unfortunately they were a little too big – I’m still on the hunt for those perfect bum hugging vintage denim Levis!
This delicate jewellery is very similar to a stall at Paddington Markets where I recently purchased my new favourite ring. I can’t get enough of stacking fine gold rings, so I’m keen to build my collection with these hand-made, good quality designs which are so unique.
I would highly recommend visiting Kirribilli Markets not only for the one-of-a-kind bargains you can bag, but to take a stroll in this North Sydney local neighbourhood and soak up that infectious Sunday ambience.
To start we were presented with beautifully plated ocean trout carpaccio followed by a selection of chefs sashimi. The combination of sweet berries with tangy radish was delicious and the fresh fish only needed a dash of soy to bring out the flavours.
Next it was onto the sushi course and as a group we opted for the seafood rainbow roll. This colourful arrangement included my favourite combo of avocado, salmon and prawns wrapped in sticky sushi rice.
Course number 4 was honey mayo glazed prawns topped with black sesame seeds. These meaty king prawns were served in a light batter drizzled in hot sticky honey, a little messy but irresistibly tasty.
The main and final course was oven roast salmon fillet in dill served with quinoa, watercress salsa verde and grilled cos lettuce. I can’t get enough of dill with salmon, but the salsa verde gave a delightful spin on the flavour whilst the lettuce added extra crunch.
As a lighter lunch option, this 5 course tasting menu is perfect for getting a good overview of the food on offer. From freshly caught sashimi to exquisitely arranged Japanese specials, I would be keen to visit Zushi again to try more of their delectable dishes, paired with another fine wine from their extensive list.
Decorated with all the sparkle and colour you could imagine, our lovely friend hosted the most fabulous party as her Birthday also falls on this day. I was very excited to be back in my favourite hanging cosy seat complete with sequins and a disco mirror ball – my very own throne!
This time last year (as a newbie to Australia) I was also introduced to the Ozzy Birthday party staple Fairybread. I was addicted to this simple combo of white bread, butter and sprinkles, so I knew exactly where I was going to get my sugar hit ready to dance the night away again.
Another Mardis Gras down and I feel truly thankful for the beautiful friends that have made me so welcome and embraced my presence on such a special day for the gay community. Happy Mardis Gras ❤
Founded in 1954 at Pyrmont wharf by Biaggo Signorelli, the Doltone House legacy has become Sydney’s most influential hospitality establishments. From intimate cocktail parties to weddings and large scale business events, their ever growing venue collection offers a variety of options to suit every occasion.
Starting at Jone’s Bay Wharf in Pyrmont, we kicked things off with sliders and ciders; a pear cider to match the spiced lentil patty and an apple cider to compliment the pulled pork mini burger. We started strong and how we meant to go on!
We were then shown onto the next space up on the rooftop where we were greeted with refreshing ice cold Chandon. With a large terrace overlooking the harbour bridge, The Loft was one of my favourite venues with exposed beams and 3 split levels to create a unique layout.
Next we were shown around the contemporary SoHo room and bar with trendy interiors including an antler lamp shade, bookcases and old school leather couches. This English period style reflects cool downtown New York vibes, perfect for hosting a more intimate cocktail or birthday party.
Venue number 4 was a short walk down the road where we were shown the fun activities which could add something different to your event. The group was split up to do either table arrangements, arancini ball making or a gin masterclass which we were lucky enough to participate in! We had a laugh shaking our cocktails and enjoyed our G&Ts paired with the delicious arancini fresh from the oven.
The final destination was Hyde Park House and it certainly didn’t disappoint. After walking through the opulent entrance with twinkling chandeliers, we were taken to the large function room overlooking the park which had been turned into a Christmas Party! A Mimosa in hand and live jazz band playing festive tunes, we got stuck in decorating our Gingerbread men, how fun!
Over at the bar we were served lychee blinis and spoilt with homemade sticky toffee pudding pots. We certainly had been treated with lots of drinks and delicious food we couldn’t say no to.
To finish the evening we had our makeup touched up for the LinkedIn headshot. I would’ve preferred to have this taken at the beginning before I had consumed such a mix of drinks…but the gin made me grin 😀
We were truly looked after all evening and given a unique overview of some of the fabulous venues Doltone House has to offer. Not only do they provide a stunning space to match your needs, but they can tailer every detail of the catering, drinks and activities to suit your requirements and host a seamless event delivered with class and style.
Dani Aneka 