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Mid August Weekend Shenenigans

August 18, 2014

I still can’t believe how fast the year is flying by!

Friday night I had my lovely friend Lisa over for dinner. I made her a green veggie stir fry with veal stuffed with mushrooms and crumbed. She bought the wine. We make a great pair.

We went out on Chapel, trying my new favourite first, Katuk. I think I prefer Katuk during the week though. On the weekends it is really busy and there’s a lot of manipulating required to find somewhere to sit down. Next up we cabbed over to Cuba Cabana (or something? It’s on Greville) to meet a friend of mine. As it turned out there was a birthday party for someone from my home town at the venue so there were a few others I knew there too! Lisa got bored quickly though so we were on the hunt again, this time for somewhere to dance. Pawn & Co was dead, a short stroll found us at Temperance then we gave up and went home.

Saturday morning I went to Liar Liar in Hawthorn for brunch and it was hands down delish. Go there.

Lisa, Cheena and I went on a little adventure to Lysterfield Park/ Lake where we took some ridic selfies with kangaroos. Yep, look closely between our heads and you’ll find it!

The lake wasn’t actually as picturesque as I had expected, although it was nice to walk through the woods for 1.5 hours and get some fresh air. After Liar Liar there was no room for the bacon and egg pie I baked the night before for a picnic though!

Saturday evening Annabelle and I rushed around and made it to the Lions v Pies game for the 2nd quarter. I’m surprised we actually made it that early, we hadn’t even grabbed the tickets from the hotel 10mins before bounce!

The game was freaking fantastic. Being an avid Lions fan, it was super exciting to watch them kick the Pies butt!! Much jumping and yelling was had. And Champagne. After the game we raced home then met some of the boys at Eve for a post match drink, I hadn’t seen many of them for a year or so.

On a side note, what the frick happened with the Bledisloe Cup?! I was watching the AFL game at the time so was grabbing snippets from Twitter and the bar TV on the breaks. Disappointing.

So I got home at stupid o’clock and spent Sunday just chilling out knowing full well I had to be up and out for a Sunday session at College Lawn in Prahan with Nikita and Annabelle at around 5pm.

Come the time I got there I was delirious with tiredness. I was just laughing at everything and having issues with my vocabulary and putting my sentences together after one pint of cider so I gave up, ordered a leek and pumpkin risotto with gorgonzola and settled in for a sober evening.

In a stroke of absolute brilliance (Nikita found it mortifying) all three of us rocked up in ripped jeans to the pub!

Around 11, Annabelle and I headed off, stopping at a Japanese joint on Chapel for some sushi, noodles and miso.

Another huge weekend, loved it!

Liar Liar, Hawthorn

August 18, 2014

A friend of mine took me to Liar Liar in Hawthorn. I hadn’t even had time to look it up. I had no idea just how good it was going to be!

There was a ten minute wait to get in but there were puppies outside to play with so no problems there.

We were ushered in to a table and the first thing I see is this amazing avocado dish making its way across the floor to a lucky patron. I knew there and then that was what I would be ordering.

Our server was absolutely delightful. He looked so happy just to be there and was smiling and joking the whole time while being attentive. If I opened a cafe, I would poach him.

Anyway I ordered a Purple Sunrise Juice, fresh carrot, beetroot, celery, apple and ginger. Just what I crave after a night out to attempt to feel human again. It was delicious.

Of course I ordered the Smashed Avocado ($17) – Feta, Avocado Smash + Maple Glazed Bacon + Two Poached Eggs + Sourdough Toast + Dukkah.

I can not tell you how phenomenal this combination is. The sourness of the feta mixes with the sweetness of the maple. It’s the maple that makes the dish. I highly recommend.

I couldn’t even eat it all but I didn’t want to waste it so I ended up scraping the delicious mix off the toast. Yum.

Go there. Try it. Then thank me.

You’re welcome.

Late weekend recap

August 14, 2014

Seeing as it is nearly the weekend I figure I should update you on last weekend!

Friday was great. Dumplings with Annabelle and Sophie at a BYO then off to the Emerson. We ended up at the Veuve party which was absolutely packed. We met some cricket players in from… somewhere (maybe the UK?) and had some drinks with them before heading to Burger King for our ritual cheeseburgers then home!

Saturday was a bit of a write off. I cancelled my plans (sorry Allan) and stayed in to watch movies and catch up on sleep knowing I had a big day Sunday.

Sunday was massive! My friend was playing in the St Kilda (AFL) Legends game and I went along to support. It was hilarious. A bunch of ex players and club sponsors on the field makes a humorous mix – some can play, some can’t.

Next up we had the offical St Kilda function for during the game. Cue champagne, and my personal favourite, the half time party pies and scones mmm. After the game it was down to the rooms to watch the boys do their stretches then back up for drinks with the Sales crew.

We ended up back at the Crown Hotel Suites where Bryce had a room for some drinks then up to level 28 where they made us some delicious cocktails and we ordered burgers and oysters. Always a brilliant mix.

We tried to find somewhere to party and was talked into a new club at the Casino, Co I think it was called. It was a RnB club, not the usual Sunday session I’m used to and I tired pretty quickly so headed home by midnight.

Now to get ready for this weekend! Can’t wait for the Lions v Collingwood game at the MCG on Saturday. GO LIONS!!

The Dumpling Table, South Yarra

November 5, 2018August 9, 2014

A friend and I stumbled here last night as it ticked off the two prerequisites we had: dumplings & BYO. Plus is was right by our apartments.

We ordered the pork steamed dumpling, the chicken and prawn dumplings in soup and steamed beef dumplings too.

Everything was good but the pork dumplings were awesome!! For only $9 you get 15!! Super cheap and delicious.

Great for a place to grab a bite and enjoy some wines before town!

UPDATE** Nov 2018 and I still love visitng dumpling table for veges and dumplings!

A month in Melbourne

August 7, 2014

It’s hard to believe I have been here over a month already!

Time has flown.

Even though I haven’t been working as such I am still flat out all the time. Between interviewing, job hunting, contracting for CEFA in Canada, seeing friends, exercising and partying, my days are full!

I’m lucky I have the contract with CEFA to tie me over while I find the right job. It allows me to wait and choose the right role. I had a job offered to me last week that I had to turn down as the $$ weren’t where they should be and I wasn’t willing to accept less. Unfortunately the job market is such that many people are signing for less than they are worth. I have interviewed for many roles, most I decide I am not interested in for whatever reason – generally not challenging enough.

I’m undeterred though, I have another four interviews lined up in the next week, all in the appropriate pay bracket and all seem like great companies that will provide a challenge and career progression – yay! See how we go 🙂

I’ve made a bunch of lovely new friends and caught up with sooo many people I didn’t even realise were here. And yet I still have a heap more I need to catch up with! I’m constantly booked out at least a week in advance in the evenings and my weekends are a few ahead too. I love being busy and with people though so it’s great!

I’ve orientated myself by running around the area. Mainly Toorak, South Yarra and along the river to places I don’t know. I signed up for hot yoga for a month yesterday too! Damn my hamstrings hurt.

I party on the weekends, usually dinner and drinks with the girls then out. Either I will cook or we will go out. I’ve found my fave spots but still hunting for more. Stick around South Yarra, Prahan, Toorak, Richmond and occasionally the city. I go to a few sports games too which generally see us heading to the pub afterwards.

And of course I have been dating. Lots to be honest! I love meeting new people and finding out their story. There’s not many that have made it through to a round two date yet though and none to a round three. That’s all I’m giving away there!

Melbourne is rich in culture and their restaurant scene is the backbone of the city. Seeing how I love to eat this is working out well for me. Thank goodness I have time to work it all off!!

All in all,life is good.

Oriental Tea House, South Yarra

August 5, 2014

Brilliant design. Brilliant dumplings. Brilliant tea.

We shared the raspberry and lime tea, ginger dumplings and mushroom dumplings. All superb!

Can’t wait to go back!

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