Perks of Being a Chef's Wife: The Bourbon at Kings Cross

Being married to a chef is not an easy life. This article and this forwarded to me by a friend is spot on. I found myself smiling and nodding while reading them.

Having said that, being married to one also has perks. You get to eat free sometimes and you get freebies in most cases.

So far, he has worked for three restaurants and boy do I get spoiled every time I eat on those places.

They make you order their 7 course degustation/tasting menu and then forget to mention that you need to save some space because they will be sending out more food for you to try out. There were times I even have to beg them to stop sending food because I'm on the verge of experiencing "food comma".

And when it's time to ask for the bill, the restaurant manager approaches and says "it's on us" or "so and so took care of it". Well now, isn't that lovely!?

And just recently, my husband started work in a new restaurant, The Bourbon at Kings Cross which has a Creole inspired menu with James Metcalfe at the helm.

As our customary practice, he brings me to the restaurant in one of his rest days to dine and taste their food.

I like the design of the place. There is an old/vintage feel to it.

 

And of course the food. The moment we sat, the kitchen sent out this heart warming gumbo.

Spicy duck broth, smoked sausage, red chili and coriander

We then ordered this finger licking good crab clusters with its light spiced butter

Grilled Alaskan crab clusters

and this Melon and Ham to start. The combination of watermelon with the ham and mint is a pleasant surprise for me. It was so refreshing!

Watermelon, serrano, mint, chilli, white pepper vinegar

For our mains, my husband ordered the Porchetta. The skin was so crispy while the meat melts in your mouth.

Belly, sage, spices

I ordered lobster and chips. The butter and truffle in the lobster was a perfect combination. And of course you can never go wrong with parmesan fries. (ok, i'm a cheese lover that's why!)

Grilled, montpellier butter, truffle, parmesan fries

For dessert, the kitchen made us try all the dessert in the menu.The s'mores were to die for. Such a simple dessert but the chocolate they use is superb. I can't get enough of it.

I'm not a fan of pumpkin pies but the combination of the pie and the ginger ice cream worked well.

Pecan tart, Lime cheesecake, S'mores

Beignets. Peppered strawberry caramel, whipped cream

Pumpkin pie with ginger ice cream

So if you happen to be in Sydney or going to Sydney, why not drop by The Bourbon and experience for yourself the nice food and the super nice chefs (my husband included!). 

Bias aside, the food is good. But as you may know by now, when it comes to food, I am very easy to please. :)

Have an awesome week lovelies!


xoxo,
Coco

Argentinian Cuisine is Delicioso

A few weeks back, we ate at Porteno, an Argentinian Restaurant in Surry Hills. This restaurant is awarded the 2 Chef's Hat (Australia's version of Michelin Star). I'm no food critic and when it comes to food I am pleased easily. But my husband being a chef, is very difficult to please, and he was very happy with the food.

 The interior of the place has the old Spanish villa feel to it.

Being true to its Argentinian roots, a spit roast is the star of the restaurant.

The chefs/owners in action. They were named as Australia's Chef of the Year for 2012.

We started off with a freshly baked bread with olive oil and pork pate and pickled veal tongue. The pork pate is to die for.

Lengua En Escabeche

We then ordered a kobe wagyu beef skirt and an 8 hour woodfired pig for our mains with a side of crispy fried brussel sprouts.

Chanchito A la Cruz

Entrana

Repollitos De Brussela Frito

By now I feel like I'm in a food comma but I.Just.Need.To.Have.Dessert. We ordered two magnificent desserts. A burnt milk custard with peach and chocolate ice cream.

Leche Quemada

 Apricot and chocolate tart with muscat and creame fraiche ice cream and vanilla chantilly.

Tarta De Chocolate

If only for these desserts, I can come back again and again and again.


Xoxo,
Coco

Its More Fun in the Philippines

Yes, although I live in Sydney, I was born and raised in the Philippines and it will forever be my home.  

I just want to share with you lovelies how beautiful and unique our country is.

Check out this short video I found on you tube created by the government to promote the Philippines. It was so much fun watching the video and seeing the beauty of my country. Most of the things and places shown are uniquely Filipino.

New York Times, Travel and Leisure and Conde Nast Traveller all named Philippines as one of the top travel destination for 2013. 

For such a small archipelago with 7,107 islands (yes lovelies, that many islands!) there are so many places to see that even I have not seen at least 98% of what the Philippines has to offer. We have some of the best spots in the world.

1. Boracay Island. One of the best white sand beach in the world.

2. Bohol Island with its Chocolate Hills and Panglao Island.

They say it is called Chocolate Hills because during the dry season, the grass covering the hills dries up and turn chocolate brown.

Panglao Island is also a very nice spot for diving.


3. Palawan. Hands down for me, is the best place to go to in the Philippines.

Photo taken from promotional materials of the province of Palawan

Palawan has so many nice islands..from Coron to El Nido to the very private and very expensive Amanpulo where the likes of Robert De Niro, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt has been to. Palawan is also the home of the Tubbataha Reef (best spot for diving!) which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the famous Underground River which is part of the New Seven Wonders of the World.


4.  Camiguin Island. Camiguin is famous for its many volcanoes, the sunken cemetery and for the Snake Island (yes, you guessed it right, the island is the shape of a snake).

The cross was built to mark the cemetery where the remains of the islands old dwellers that died during a volcanic eruption in the 1800s were buried. Due to the ever changing tides, it has now been buried under the ocean.

Snake Island, Camiguin

One of the many volcanoes in Camiguin

 
5. Vigan, Ilocos Sur. You may not know this but we were a colony of Spain for over 300 years. This town is one of the few remaining that was so lucky to have been able to preserve the Spanish colonial influence. Because of this, it was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Photos from promotional materials of Vigan

6. Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao, Mt. Province.

Photo form promotional materials of the province of Ifugao

These terraces were carved into the mountains thousands of years ago by the ancestors of the indigenous people residing in the area.


7. Siargao Island, known as the "surfing capital of the Philippines"

 

There are so much more that I can share with you but I think you get the jist.

So next time you plan to visit Asia, make sure to drop by the Philippines. You will find that Filipinos are very friendly and always have a ready smile.  

I guarantee you’ll have the time of your life. 

Xoxo,

Coco

Cravings: Red Velvet Crinkle Cookie

Excuse my absence from posting. I have been tied up with family, travel, and work. In the meantime, please enjoy this very easy cookie recipe as I try to catch up on all my missed posts. 

A good meal without dessert is like wearing a great dress barefoot.
Don't you think so? A meal is just not complete for me without it.

One of my favorite and easy dessert recipe is the Red Velvet Crinkle Cake cookie. This is so easy to make and I assure you that everyone will love it!

Ingredients:

1 box Duncan Hines red velvet cake mix
2 large eggs
6 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled down
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 cup powdered sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Over a large bowl, sift cake mix. In the bowl, mix together the cake mix, eggs, butter and vanilla extract using a wooden spoon until all ingredients are well blended.

Divide the mixture into 24 pieces and roll each one into a ball. Sift together the powdered sugar and cornstarch. Roll the balls in the powdered sugar mixture until fully coated. Place the cookie balls on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 10 minutes, or until edges are set and the cookies begin to crack. Note: Even if the cookies don't look completely done take them out of the oven after about 10 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool.


Serve with a scoop (or two) of vanilla ice-cream or any flavored ice-cream of your choice.


Variation:
I have also tried the same recipe to make walnut chocolate crinkle cookies by substituting chocolate cake mix and mixing in chopped toasted walnuts.

Recipe adopted from Duncan Hines

A peak into our home...

... this Christmas season...

Christmas is my favorite holiday. Every one is just cheery and looking forward to spending time with their families and friends. The different colorful traditions and food are just icing on the cake. The other fun part of Christmas is decorating. So, without further ado, welcome to our home...


Berry wreath, nativity scene, and a hurricane vase with different red and gold Christmas balls adorn our foyer...

florals: Hobby Lobby (here)

rug, console table: Pottery Barn (old)

Our formal dining room reflects our casual style. I mixed-matched the dining chairs. The side chairs are leather upholstered but I had my mom sew slip covers to soften up the look.

dining table: Pottery Barn (similar Hayden Dining Table and Sumner Dining Table)

arm chairs: Pottery Barn (Grayson Chair)

draperies: Pottery Barn (similar Dupioni Drape)

slipcovers: mom

The centerpiece was made up of antique-silver bowl with sugar-like glazed fruits and a pine wreath with berries, pine cones  and red and gold balls.

antique-silver serve bowl: Pottery Barn (antique-silver serve bowl)

We turned the landing wall of our stairway into our gallery. I hang our wedding and family pictures printed on canvas along with canvas prints of "Family Rules". The banister is decorated with a wreath with pine cones and hang using plaid ribbons in red/white/green colors.

Our Christmas tree is probably my favorite of all.  Our nephews helped hang some of the ornaments when they spent thanksgiving with us.We got a 9.5 ft tree this year. Yes, it is almost touching our ceiling.

This is the time of the year where we get to showcase our Christmas ornament collection. See, instead of buying t-shirts and cups or shot glasses (hubby used to collect both) from our travels, we started collecting Christmas ornaments. We get to showcase everything every year and brings back beautiful memories every time we see them.

all drapery hardware: Pottery Barn (PB Oversized Drape Rod and PB Double Drape Rod)

cane chairs: Tommy Bahama  La Palma Loose Back Chair ( similar Nassau Leather Chair or Rum Beach Chair)

The throw pillow covers coordinated perfectly with the ribbons I used all around the house.

throw pillow covers: Pottery Barn (Plaid Pillow Cover and Silk Pillow Cover)

faux fur throw: West Elm (similar faux fur throw)

The hurricane vases are filled with spiced apple-scented potpourri...

mercury glass candle holders: HomeGoods (here)

hurricane glass: Pottery Barn (hurricane glass)

Yes, our home looks like a Pottery Barn show room, it is not the first time I was told. I love the beach casual look and quality of their furniture. Most of our stuff are purchase throughout the years but some are still sold in the store.

To wrap the presents, I chose this gold with red and green Christmas wrapper to coordinate with all the colors in our home.

Hannah of course had to pose...

And remember my post a couple of months ago about our little calendar girl? The Jacksonville Humane Society's calendar is out. Our little Hannah is featured for the month of November. We are proud doggy parents!

Still in need of gift ideas?  Please consider donating to your local Humane Society (for Jax Humane click here) and help save a furry friend's life.

What is your favorite holiday? Do you decorate for Christmas?

xoxo,
Tey