14_12_09 – Fifth Element, Southbank

I had a day off and a ride to Brisbane so I decided to check out the enomatic wine system at Fifth Element.

But before that I went to see Ricky Gervais’ new film The Invention of Lying. It was funny, but I’ve been told that if you are not a Ricky fan don’t bother. Luckily I am a Ricky fan, so therefore I enjoyed it.

I picked up Kiri for a quick lunch at Sushi Station on Elizabeth St. A few plates later and $29 bill we were off. I dropped Kiri back at her HQ and set sail for South Brisbane station. A short walk from South Brisbane and I was at Stanley Street and the Southbank pool area was pretty full.

Fifth Element is on Little Stanley St and occupies a corner block. It is mostly a restaurant with an attached cellar/wine bar. They have an enomatic wine system which allows them to store the wine in vacuum machines and auto-pours a selected amount. This enables a wide range of wines to be served by the glass.

I got set up with my little swipe card and mapped out a tasting plan with the manager. The three sizes are taste, half glass and full glass. I opted for each wine for a taste, although I may have had more than one taste of a few of the wines. This is a list of the wines I tasted (and approximate order):

• Chateau St Jean Chardonnay 2008, Sonoma County USA
• Yalumba Vermentino 2009, Langhorne Creek, SA
• Wolf Blass White Label Chardonnay 2003, Adelaide Hills, SA
• Bress Pinot Noir 2008, Macedon Ranges, Vic
• E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone 2005, Rhone Valley, Fr
• Rothschild Reserve Speciale 2006, Bordeaux, Fr
• Brothers In Arms Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Langhorne Creek, SA
• Zenato Valpolicella Classico 2007, Veneto, It
• Penfolds Grange 2004, regional blend, SA

I bought a few bottles of the wines I tasted, notably the Boardeux and the Cotes du Rhone. I also picked up a bottle of Crittenden Estate’s Los Hermanos Albarino Savagnin, that I had been searching for.

Sept 22 and 23 2009 – Guild of Master Sommeliers, Sydney

Held at (nowhere less than) The Hilton, we rocked up at 8am Tuesday morning for the first tasting session of many to come. We were informed that we were responsible for tasting, explaining, predicting and concluding where the wine was from, what vintage it was, the varietal and the quality…. Needless to say, that was not an easy task considering the room full of wine professionals.

First up, 2 whites and 2 reds – the format that would continue throughout. The first wine was quite obviously a chardonnay in the Chablis style, however, the boss called that it was a Sancerre from Loire Valley (a Sauvignon Blanc). After being challenged and looking back at the notes, it was called a Chablis and people moved on. The first wine to to be tasted by the public was a NZ (Marlborough) Sauvignon Blanc and the participants had no problem identifying the wine. The next reds were a bit of a challenge but most people described the wine appropriately.

Over the course of time, we sampled the following:

• Viognier
• Pinot Gris
• Pinot Noir
• Bordeaux
• Malbec
• Burgundy
• Chateauneuf du-papes
• Zinfandel (Zin)
• Shiraz
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Sangiovese (Chianti Classico)
• Tempranillo (Rioja)
• Albarino
• many more….

After all the tastings we were subjected to an examination. I just passed and walked away with a Level 1 certificate.

I had a few good nights in Sydney but I will tell that story in another blog entry…

Greg

22_09_09 – Rockpool Bar, Spice Temple, Sydney

I met up with one of my friends, having just finished a snow season in Jindabyne, he was on his way back to either the Sunshine Coast or Perth. Jarmin took my old job at Hans Oversnow driving the snow cats for the ‘09 season.

We had a late lunch at Lowenbrau Beer House near the rocks because we had a late dinner res at Neil Perry’s Spice Temple. We got suited up and headed into Rockpool Bar and Grill for a few drinks beforehand. We ordered a few glasses of white wine off the Bar’s very well balanced and excellent looking wine-by-the-glass list. This place is also well known for its massive and award-winningly good wine list.

Whilst having a sip of my ‘07 Vouvray, Neil Perry walked into the bar area and came over to say hi. I had a quick chat with him before he was called back to the kitchen.

Downstairs, a few minutes later, we checked into Spice Temple.  The interior is really amazing.  After a struggle trying to pick something from the menu, we decided the best thing was to go with the banquet.

• Cabbage and radish pickle
• Cucumber with smashed garlic
• Silken tofu and preserved egg with soy chilli dressing
• Shredded lamb shoulder with salt chilli
• Fried squid with five spice and dark chilli paste
• Fish drowned in heaven facing chillies and Sichuan peppercorns (Leatherjacket Sichuan style)
• Three shot chicken (beer, chilli oil, soy)
• Stir-fried David Blackmore’s wagyu brisket with baby eggplants and chilli
• Broccolini with oyster sauce
• Steamed rice
• Orange granita

And it was all only $69/person!!!

It was excellent, highly recommended.

August 09 – Wasabi, Noosa

WASABI

Head Chef Shinichi Maeda knows how to make sushi! Wasabi has moved to a great location – on the water – at Noosa Sound from their previous Sunshine Beach location.

Wasabi has a great wine, sake, champagne, cocktail list but the real star is the food. Chef Maeda knows what good food tastes like and uses the freshest produce to make every plate a winner. Everytime I visit I am amazed at the taste sensations that are presented at the table. People nodding and savouring each flavour on the delicately arranged plates is a very common sight in Wasabi.

I almost religiously order omakase - chef’s selection. The main reason is that the best produce can be used to make the day’s selection. If you are ordering a-la-carte must try dishes are

• any of the gaki dishes
• hiramasa ponzu
• maki escondido
• tuna tartar shin-style
• anything with ocean trout in it
• I haven’t even started on any of the hot dishes! …

Try lunch there on a Sunday or get there for sunset drinks at the bar area before you dine …

WASABI

2 Quamby Place, Noosa Sound Q 4567

(+617) 5449 2443 www.wasabisb.com

Sat 15_08_09 – Last day OS and last day in Manila

Today the girls had organised in-room beauty therapies which allowed the boys to cruise the streets.  I had been recommended a Chinese place in Malate called (creatively) Malate Tea House.  This place is very unassuming, as described elsewhere, but oozes confidence in producing traditional Canton fare.  It is on Gen. Malvar St. but a far way east so you have to walk past a few famous teahouses to get there.  A quick stop-in at Erra’s ensued..

One thing I have to mention, and I never thought I’d use this word, is that the ubiquitous Jeepneys are really ubiquitous (found everywhere).  Every bloody direction we turned we were dragged through a query about where we going and how we were getting there.  It really is a sight to be seen.  It is a very popular form of transport.  Probably not the most environmentally friendly…

Fri 14_08_09 – Erra’s and Robinson’s

Couldn’t get two more different styles if you tried.  Needless to say I didn’t do any serious time at Robinson’s, I was more interested in what Adriatico St. had in store for us.  After a quick drop-off at Robinson’s, we hooked it straight to Remedios Circle which led us (back all the same street we walked up) to a quaint, cheap and unique bar named Erra’s.

The first round came out with tissues stuffed down the throat of the San Miguel bottles.  The tough-looking but very polite waiter smiled generously whilst he made us sign the “purchase order”.  We necked a few, and might I add this is the cheapest beer I have ever bought in any commercial establishment anywhere.  The beer was approximately 75c (30 pesos). After a few more signatures we got the feel of the place but unfortunately had to leave.

We met up with the girls and hit the casino in the Hilton.  It was western standards an absolute dive, but it was enjoyable enough.  The sign out the front said “Leave any guns or ammo in this box”. lol  Should’ve taken a picture however there was also a “no cameras” policy. lol

We had an expensive dinner in the Sofitel, where we tried to order a flight of wines.  If you’ve never heard of a flight of wines, basically it’s a small portion of three types of wine, may it be varietal, regional or food-matching.  Is it Needless to say the wines were totally mixed up, and what I like to call served with an “asian twist”.  After much confusion, anger and general head-shaking we finally ended up with some wines that bore some semblance of what we originally ordered.

Should we head back to Erra’s?

Wed 12 and 13_08_09 – Balut – look it up

After a (rain-induced) quiet day, we ventured out on Thursday to Makati City – a newer area in Manila that is pretty trendy.  I had an ulterior motive for visiting, get to that later…  After walking around a few of the large supermarkets we fulfilled some inner shopping needs, both male and female.

We endured food court after food court, but I managed to steer us in the direction of the busiest train station in Manila which also happened to be the home of the most corniest named exotic food station I have ever come across – Balut Egg-spress.  Balut is pretty much a once-in-a-lifetime eggsperience experience.  It was a hard day this one…

Tue 11_08_09 – Manila

Arrived in Manila about midday, it was hot as.  Got in a taxi, whilst on the first major street we were diverted off the road due to a “government” delegation needing the road.  Our taxi driver informed us this is common practice.  I later found out it was the Foreign Minister who was late for a press conference with the President.  After enduring agonising traffic to our final destination – The Pearl Manila – we checked in (Reception was on the 9th floor).

We had a view of the city, as you can see above.  We were in the Ermita area of downtown.  We had a quiet night and enjoyed our complimentary arrival drink.  The next day we were going to check it out (but a quick downtown Macca’s hit struck Clif and we saw it sooner rather than later).

9 and 10_08_09 – Leonardo Da Vinci to Chek Lap Kok

Over these few dates we flew from Rome to Hong Kong.  Flying Cathay Pacific is always a pleasure and they definitely did not disappoint.  We arrived fairly early in the morning and caught the hotel-supplied shuttle to our accommodations.  The weather had a bit of attitude…

We upgraded on arrival and ended up in one of the best rooms I’ve ever stayed in.  Pity we were only there for one night!  After showers and niceties were over, we caught a local MRT in to town to go to one of my fav teahouses, yum chas, dim sums or whatever you prefer to call.  The name: Luk Yu.  It’s old school: old school waiters with everything in their top pocket; old school waitresses with the dim sum carried over their shoulders in front of them; old school customers dipping their things in cha (tea); and of course old school cuisine.  All food was excellent and our waiter took care of us.

After “brunch” we headed across the river to Kowloon (on one of the classic ferries) and I took the guys on a tour of the area.  We went down a few backstreets to enjoy the sights…

 

Sat 8_8_9 – Piazza di Spagna, Terme di Diocleziano

Today we had a brilliant last day, we went to the Piazza di Spagna to check out the Spanish Steps (apparently the longest and widest steps in Europe).  We took the day pretty easy, but enjoyed the walk through the narrow main streets and ended up at Piazza del Popolo.  This is a typical tourist pic of the steps espanol..

Almost so typical I can’t recover from it.  We had dinner at the restaurant named in the latter part of the subject line and all meals were delivered with the usual Italian perfection.  I recommend the restaurant.

Fri 7_08_09 – Vatican City, Piazza Navano, Pantheon

We caught a train (subway) to Vatican city today.  We got hammered by tour touts but preferred to do a solo walk through.  It was really hot today.  The square at the Vatican centre was really huge.

The partheon is one of my eternal favourites. See below.. (and for a further reference http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheon,_Rome)

Thur 6_08_09 – Colosseum, Gnocchi (?), Trimani Wine Bar, Taverna Flavia

Well today was supposed to be Gnocchi Thursday in Rome.  However, the restaurants we went to weren’t playing.  The first place, net-renowned for their gnocchi, were open and gnocchi was on the menu but they just wouldn’t serve it to us.  Don’t know why?

After our nice gnocchi lunch, we walked down Via Cavour to end up at the Colosseum – the real one.  What an impressive sight: and that was just the line up to get in! We got suckered by a tourguide with their “avoid-the-lines” pitch and only a few extra euros later, we were “avoiding the lines”.  Money does buy you some things.

Inside we got a tour with little radios and some historical information about the place.  After heaps of photos, we ventured downstairs and explored the hypogeum (the underground tunnel bit).  It is, for me, a recommended site to visit.

Trimani Wine Bar is noted for its funky and sophisticated wine list and I was hell bent on trying a good Italian wine.  I researched a little and because I love Shiraz variety wines, I ended up trying a Sagrantino red which was from Umbria.  Some more information here

I was given Taverna Flavia as a recommendation for a lively dinner place and it was certainly that.  Live music and funny staff can really make for a good night.  Once again the food was excellent (as it has been everywhere in Rome).

Wed 5_08_09 – Ibiza -> Madrid -> Roma

Had a quick breakfast at Central Park Apartments because Donald’s was shut (unfortunately).  Flew to Madrid and caught our onward connection to Fiumicino Airport in Rome.  A quick 40 euro cab ride into town and we were there : The Marsala Hotel.

After some major dramas checking in (ask Clif).  Dinner at small Italian restaurant, pasta cacio e pepe for me at the instruction of my waiter.  Apparently there are three pasta dishes that make up the holy trinity of Roman cuisine.  Carbonara, Amatriciana and Cacio e Pepe.  I’m going to try them all!

Tue 4_08_09 – Sa Cova Wine Tasting, Tapas

For our penultimate day in the beautiful island of Ibiza we decided to take in a country wine tasting tour just for some random fun.  Sa Cova wine tasting tour is was and we were off on a small car with trailer disguised as a train.  Did I mention we had a very interesting, and very funny, tour guide : Vincent.

Vincent believed – or just liked the word – that everything in Ibiza was “fantastic”.  From the melons, to the potatoes, to the wine, to the tomatoes, and most of all the panoramics.  “Please folks take in the fantastic panoramic”.  The tour was memorable, the wine not so…

For our last dinner we went to a simple place called “Tapas”.  It’s off a backstreet near Bar M, probably only 500m back but it feels like you are in the middle of nowhere.  We virtually ordered everything on the menu and shared it between about 10 people.  Food was really good.

We did our final stroll down the strip and watched the legendary Jose Padilla play a set at Savannah…

Mon 3_08_09 – 10 Years Cocoon Ibiza “Special Sunset Party”

Cocoon is celebrating 10 years in Ibiza.

For a special treat, Sven decided to do a sunset terrace set at Amnesia with Cassy warming up, followed by Josh Wink and Richie Hawtin (Yes! you are reading this right).

At the start of the night Carl Cox showed up and perched at a bar next to us, I gathered up some courage and introduced myself and he had a conversation with me, we talked about his gigs at Family and how he fondly remembers them.  Sven showed up and handshakes all round before he jumped on the wheels of steel..

Cassy played a perfect warm up as the crowd piled in and then sven finished the job off in fine form.  As opposed to the previous Monday, he seemed in a really good mood and it was really rubbing off on the crowd…

We left the party about midnight and it was absolutely pumping.  We were going home to get 4 hours sleep before heading back to the club at 5.30am (when Sven would be hitting the decks in the mainroom).  When we were leaving Clif ran into Sven in the carpark and had a chat with him, Sven wanted his feedback on the night (whilst sitting in his RangeRover with number plates DJ9000).

When I got back to the club later it was full.  Apparently Cocoon @ Amnesia is the one of the only clubs to consistently shut the doors and put up the “CLUB FULL” sign.  After a 30min wait, I realised there was no chance of getting in, and dejectedly caught a cab home

Link to terrace set here

Fri 31_07 -> Sun 2_08_09 – A few days off, Savannah, Eivissa, Dalt Vila, Cafe del Mar

We took the weekend off to recover because Ibiza showed us what a toll it can take you (note: don’t go to NYC and Las Vegas before a trip to Ibiza).  When I say we took it off, I mean we still did the tourist things – like sightseeing – but we didn’t go partying.

Eivissa is the catalan (as opposed to castilian) name for Ibiza and is also the name of the capital(?) of Ibiza.  In Eivissa is an old walled fort and township that is called Dalt Vila.

We walked to the top of the hill Dalt Vila is set on, we got some more photo opps…

During our days off we got up a little earlier morning by morning, but because the sun goes down about 10pm it makes the days really long. We took in some beaches and some local restaurants.  Pretty much just chilled out.

On the last night we got a table at Cafe del Mar and ordered a few coronitas (small coronas – I’ve only ever seen in Spain).  And took in a really nice sunset…

Check this out for a sunset view overlooking the Mediterranean.

Thur 30_07_09 – Sunset, Sangria, Rey de Copas

Thursday is a pretty big day in Ibiza.  The weekends are usually quieter than the weekdays.  But this weekend was going to be massive as it was Radio1 in Ibiza’s massive weekend.  The town was really busy all day.

When we headed to the sunset strip for a few drinks we couldn’t get a seat at Savannah, Cafe del Mar or Mambo, so we ended up at Rey de Copas (which I think translates to King of Cups).  In other words we were relegated to the last spot on the strip that you could see the sunset – and we couldn’t even get a deck seat.  Because it was T and Wool’s last night we ordered dinner (they had to be at the airport by 11pm).  Dinner was ordinary but they were saved by their champagne sangria, everyone had pretty much had it, so we all crashed pretty much straight after…

Wed 29_07_09 – Rincon del Pepes, Erick Morillo @ Pacha

Rincon del Pepes is a small authentic tapas bar in San Antonio.  The staff here know their stuff and take pride in the food they present, you can just tell by the way they serve it.  All the classics were ordered:

• boquerones con vinagre
• higado plancha
• mejillones
• aceitunas
• jamon iberico
• choricitos (to name a few…)

A trick in Ibiza is to have dinner at the club to get free entry to the night’s event.  As we were going to see Erick Morillo @ Subliminal, we dined at Pacha Restaurant in Eivissa.  Pacha restaurant is such a nice place (everything Pacha is unbelievable).  The food was good to quite good, although I wasn’t overly awed by my piece of turbot with citric oil.  After dinner (11.30pm res) and some cava, we headed into the main room to hear Abel the Kid going to town.  Pacha has had a remodel since I’ve last been there, and now there’s a major stage and some more decor areas.

Annie Mac was the night’s guest and she looked fairly nervous, I don’t particularly like her style of music but the club was still rocking.

Erick showed up and the mood changed.  Erick himself was in quite a mood and was very publically giving it to, what looked like a personal assistant.  It appeared as though something wasn’t set up right or working properly.  After sending a few texts on his two Blackberries, he ordered some drinks and systematically sent the crowd wild.  This man is one of the alltime djs.

Tue 28_07_09 – Bora Bora, Carl Cox & Moby @ Space

Bora Bora is one of the long-standing beach day bar/clubs in Ibiza. It is located near Ibiza Town in a beach area named Playa d’en Bossa, it is also quite close to the airport and the planes go over quite regularly.

We went to Bora Bora about 5pm and it was in full swing, people dancing, lots of europeans and the drinks were on ice. The music was really good and it was hard not to get carried away too early (knowing we had a big night ahead). We had dinner there – a good choice – and it was pretty good, before heading to superclub Space.

We got a ticket off a tout that offered entry for €10 (usual price €50). The deal turned out to be legit and we got to see Carl Cox do his traditional sunset set on the sunset terrace. After he finished about 12am, they opened the doors to the humongous space called the Discoteca and Moby was winding the crowd up well and truly. Carl also runs a drum and bass night in the side room called the Terraza.

Much later Carl played in the main room ’til close and it was an excellent night all round…

Mon 27_07_09 – Cocoon, Sven Väth @ Amnesia

Our bags arrived today and we had to get back to the airport to clear them from customs because we coming from another continent.  The girls were pretty excited to get there stuff back.  After that, we had to prepare for the big night at Cocoon, Amnesia.

Tonight Sven was playing in the main room with Joris Voorn from Holland (we usually play most of his records).  And on the terrace was Onur Ozur and Mar-T.  The club was absolutely packed!

There was really funky house music being played on the terrace and very deep minimal in the main room around 1am.  Sven came on around 2am and sent the place crazy, Joris had to come on play his “live” set (I felt a bit sorry for him cause Sven had totally whipped the crowd into a frenzy).  Sven came back on a bit later for his closing set.  When we left (quite late) the place was still really busy and did not appear to be slowing down.  The crowd was mostly Spanish people I thought…

Video link to Youtube