burton and coda

found some older images in a memory card
and decided to have a quick update before the New Zealand photos!

Took these the day we finished our mid year exam in June

went to Grossi Florentino Cellar Bar for lunch
met Guy and Liz Grossi at an event some time ago
and it always gives me pleasure to dine there as i really admire their dedication to good food.

natural oysters with balsamic vinegar


pappardelle al ragu di fegatini di antra
(duck liver and mushroom ragu) really yummy, full bodied and well balanced. I think my years of friendship with Bri, Clare and Lee have given me a healthy appreciation of all things mushroom and mushroom like!

went to Taco Bill later as it was raining and didnt want to walk far, had desserts and drinks. Dont remember much of this as I didnt take photos, but i suspect there was sangria and a rather dense but tasty creme caramel involved.

stopped by the arcade after. Used to frequent arcades when i was younger, but since the games we used to play fell out of fashion some years ago (Time Crisis anyone? and Clare- Para Para!) I havent kept up. Won a sticker for our efforts though!

Took this photo when i was up in Canberra. Not sure if they have this store in Melbourne, but i loved it. Spent a good few moments browsing their hefty selection before buying some orange blossom lapsang suchong for Mum.



Up to current events now!

Attended a talk by Tim Burton, who is here for the opening of his exhibiton at ACMI. Didnt manage to get tickets, so watched the live screening at Fed Square. Freezing!

Tim B and Johnny Depp may quite well be a match made in heaven though, never realised till now.

Bri managed to get her books signed by Tim earlier that day, and after the talk we went into ACMI, and managed to meet him and get a photo! He was very gracious. Photo is in Bri's camera unfortuanately.

Super cool Bat Mobile at the exhibit entrance

Went for dinner at Adam D'Sylva's Coda after.

Had 2 entree dishes: spanner crab, galangal, roasted chilli and lime betel leaf (yum!), and a Coda roll- crisp parcel of bone marrow, ginger, shitake mushroom and rice paddy herb. Heard so much about the Coda roll and wanted to try it, and it didnt disappoint! this dish all but disappeared while Bri was in the restroom.

Hen had Hervey Bay scallops with pearl tapioca and Yarra Valley salmon caviar. She gave this a thumbs up.

Main was roasted yellow duck curry. Thought it was good but not fantastic, but funnily enough i woke up this morning craving it. Duck was heavily salted, which may be a good thing or not. Personally I didnt mind it. Lotus root crisps gave this a great texture too!

what to choose, what to choose??

Disappointing dessert: Monkey banana fritters, salted peanut coconut caramel and black sesame ice cream. Fritters tasted funny and a bit bland, and the sesame ice cream didnt taste like it either.

However this more than made up for the banana fritter dessert. Was a special of the night, but if you can get this, DO! A gorgeous concoction of whisky foam, chocolate, caramel and wafer.


Went to Chadstone. Met Nick, satisfied my Lindt macaroon cravings, and was sorely tempted in Miu Miu.

Was a good girl and resisted though.

Then watched Shrek, the final chapter in 3D. Headache! But it was a funny movie, the fat Puss in Boots totally stole the show. Oh and the donkey dragon babies.

loves.




Oooh and i didnt quite stick to my list of things to buy. Meet Lola, by MJ. Couldnt resist!

wasnt as short a post as i had planned, opps.
k back later, going over to Tracey's now!