Visitors' Favourite - Cocolat!

Whenever we have guests from inter-state or from other countries, we like taking them to places that are unique to Adelaide. The hands down favourite is Cocolat! Adelaide's sweet spot.

Cocolat's range of chocolate concoctions range from truffles to hot and cold drinks to gelati and to jams and cakes!
We usually present first timers with the signature mud cakes - the Cocolat and Caramel Craze. These cakes are simply habit forming - a craving waiting to happen.

The cafe is located on East Terrace in the city, with branches in the hills and Adelaide airport. The interiors are very contemporary and offer patrons a variety of seating configurations to cater from parties of 2 to larger groups. An al fresco area is available fronting the cafe and on busy nights more seats can be found in the alley in between Cocolat and the East End Cellar.

'Til the next post!

Sharlyn

with Janice and Audrey

Mart & Wilbert (Wilbert is a Cocolat fan!)

Clarisse and her empty plates!

Contact information from website: http://www.cocolat.com.au

283 Rundle Street
Adelaide 5000
(08) 8232 6133

Opening Hours
Monday              10.00am - late

Tuesday             10.00am - late

Wednesday     10.00am - late

Thursday           10.00am - late

Friday                  10.00am - late

Saturday            10.00am - late

Sunday                10.00am - late

Clarisse is in town! New find in an old favourite - Zucca!

Clarisse, my sister in law, was in town for a few days! We were a not so convenient stop during her week long holiday in Australia and it was great to have family over even for a short visit.

She was quite tired from the first leg of her trip, she came over with barely any sleep because of a wedding she attended the night before so we tried not to bog her down even further with too much activity on her first day. We settled with a sleep in until we had to go to mass at 6pm at the Adelaide Cathedral, then dinner at our favourite greek restaurant, Zucca!

I know I already have an entry for this restaurant, but we tried a new dish - and i feel it's worth a quick mention.  For this visit to Zucca, instead of going with our usual table inside the restaurant over looking the bay - we went for a table at the al fresco area fronting the Marina Pier.  We then decided to go with our favourite mezze dishes like the spiced sausage with haloumi and lentils, grilled octopus with beetroot and picked out a new one to try - the steamed mussels in tomato, feta, olives with risoni. The fresh mussels with the slightly spicy tomato sauce were a perfect combination, the spices were balanced well with the cool fetta and kalamata olives in the dish .The server suggested an order of turkish bread to mop up the sauce with - and I'm glad she did!

'Til the next post!

Sharlyn

Mart with his sister Clarisse visiting from Dubai!

Zucca's al fresco area

Marin Pier, Holdfast Shores at night

Mussels steamed in tomato, olives, fetta with risoni

Contact information taken from : http://www.zucca.com.au

Shop 5 Marina Pier Holdfast Shores SA 5045

Telephone: 83768222
Fax: 83768233

Open 7 Days
12pm – 3pm + 6pm – late

Hen's Night! The Maid

Not one bride but two! Our dear friends Ayette and Jiji are tying the knot in the next couple of months with their respective partners RG and Dan. Wedding number one (Ayette & RG) will be in Manila in a few weeks so the girls and I planned a girl's night at The Maid Hotel on Magill Road, Stepney.

I'm no stranger to The Maid as they are the gracious hosts to the Make A Wish Foundation and has become the Adelaide branch's unofficial headquarters. The group holds their monthly meetings at the function room, The Barn found behind the main building. Since I had a group of twenty girls, that venue was a bit too big so with the help of Claire Sampson (functions manager), we moved our party to the courtyard area. The Maid has been divided into a few spaces to suit the dining experience you're after. For casual dining or if you're just in there for a coffee, there's the bistro area. For drinks, there's the front bar or the beer garden available. For a more stylish and intimate dining experience, they have Signatures. This dining area features a seasonal menu of modern australian dishes with a french influence. They have an extensive wine selection geared for proper pairing with their dishes.  

For our purpose Claire suggested that we look into their cold and hot platter dishes and made arrangements that drinks be purchased at the bar on the day. Platters range in price from $40-65 dollars and serves 20-30 people depending on your choice of dish. 3 course set menus are also available for parties of 30pax+

We decided to go with a selection of 3 dips with pita, bloody mary oyster shots, peppered squid, skinned chicken strips, mini burgers, mushroom aroncini balls and fresh fruits. It was quite a busy evening for me - because I was all over the place with activities and decorations so I wasn't able to try all the dishes, but i got great feedback with the taste and quality of the food that was served. But from those I've tried, particularly liked the bacon dip with pita, the mushroom aroncini balls and the mini burgers. Drinks were not a problem as the fully stocked bistro bar was a few steps away.

I was pretty happy with the service that I got from the staff of The Maid. I have to admit, this is my first time to organize a party outside my home here in Adelaide, but even with no point of comparison I have planned enough events back home to know that it this was pretty good. It was very easy to communicate with the function staff via email and on the day we had a server assigned to the group. When I arrived to decorate the area, they already had our long table set up and came in with extra tea lights to add to the ambiance. The Maid's interiors are very well designed and has a cozy and festive feel. They had music playing throughout the space and as the night progressed they used more upbeat songs to add to the merry making.  

We had a fun night of laughs,  games and a ton of gifts. The two brides had a blast - so with that I can say - mission accomplished! 

I was so busy that evening so I don't have pictures just yet - I will make sure to grab a few from the girls and update this entry soon.

'Til the next post!

Sharlyn

Information from the website: http://www.themaid.com.au

Opening Times 9am - 3am Monday to Saturday & 9am - 12am Sunday
Bistro Open 12-3:30pm - 5:30-9:30pm Daily with all day dining Friday through to Sunday

Signatures Restaurant Open 12pm - 2:30pm & 6pm - 9:30pm Monday to Saturday

1 Magill Road. Stepney SA 5069
Telephone 08 8362 6053 Facsimile 08 8159 0440 Email admin@themaid.com.au

10 year College Reunions! Stock Market, Bonifacio High Street

My really good friend Pat announced over facebook that it was Assumption College Class 2000's 10th year reunion and that there was a get together at school to celebrate! 10 years...it couldn't have been that long since college. There are days when I feel like I've just stepped out of my school's campus and into the "real" world.

My best memories of my 4 years in college include exhibits, all nighters, clubs, free cuts, thesis and graduation. I was lucky to have kept strong friendships with a small group of friends that have stuck with me through life's ups and downs.

The last time I was with the group was my last trip to Manila last November. It was a friday night and after hours of traffic we met up at one of the many malls in Manila, the Bonifacio High Street. Dinner was in one of the new favorites in town, Stock Market. No, it has nothing to do with stocks and bonds but more about stock produce. The restaurant is owned by the Del Monte brand which enjoys market share of their pineapple products. Fresh produce and deli items are also available in the restaurant as well as pastries and cooking gadgets.

The interiors reflect a tropical plantation home. The space enjoys a very high ceiling and is very light and casual in ambiance. That night, there was an after office crowd but there were also a good number of couples and families dining.

The cuisine is mostly upscale comfort food. Ranging from fresh salads, soups and a selection of mains.   Items to note are those using pineapple as a main ingredient - especially the burger!  Their pizzas are also great starters for groups, they have a very thin crust that's quite unique. As for me, I really enjoy the roasted chicken especially because of the stuffing. And for dessert, my friend Tanya will recommend the baked alaska without batting an eyelash!

Another note worthy item in the menu is their beers that have been chilled to a temperature of between -2 to -6 c! The sub zero temperatures give you a unique drinking experience. There are a number of these freezers between the restaurants and bars in Manila and other provinces, and is one draw of Stock Market. Despite the extreme temperature of the chillers - the beers are very cold but not frozen when it is served to you. Ice crystals form only when the bottle is tapped!

Manila is such a foodie place and the unique offerings of places like Stock Market make you want to explore even more.

'Till the next post!

Sharlyn

Contact Information taken from : http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com

The Stock Market
Beside Fridays in Bonifacio HighStreet
Telephone:    +632 8566300, 8566301

Itineraries & House Guests, Jacob's Creek Visitor's Center

We're expecting a number of guests in the coming months, so I've been looking back to all the places we've visited this last year and picking out the places I'd like to re-visit with our guests. One of my picks is the Jacob's Creek Visitor's Center in the Barossa.

Our first time to visit this award winning cellar door was in August last year when my best friend Tanya was in town for a visit.  It was a surprise to see the very modern building in the famed Jacob's Creek Vineyard. Although all the vines were bare, the views were still beautiful and is a must see for any tourist going around the area. We decided to stay for lunch and I must say, we had a very good meal after the drive into town.

Jacob's restaurant is located inside the Visitor's Center.  It was awarded in 2008 & 2007 the South Australian Tourism Award for Tourism Restaurant & Catering Services and for Best Tourism Winery according to www.barossa.com website. They are open 7 days for lunch, and the menu comprises of contemporary Australian cuisine with wine pairing suggestions to help you along.


We started of with a trio of scallops - roast potato with saffron vinaigrette, almond and sesame crust with white bean puree, and our favourite - pea puree with garlic butter and pancetta. Tanya had chicken for her main, Mart went with his usual beef fillet but the dish for me that stood out was my duck salad. The flavours were great, the meat was tender and it went perfectly with my glass of Pinot Noir. 


If you have limited time in the area, the Jacob's Creek Visitor's Center gives a very complete Barossa experience in one place.


'Til the next post!


Sharlyn

Website: http://jacobscreek.com

Barossa Valley Way, Rowland Flat, South Australia

Contact Number: +61885213000

Email: jcvc@orlandowines.com

Visas and Family Trips - The Peak Lookout, Hong Kong

I got the best news yesterday! My family's tourist visas for Australia have been approved and they're definitely coming for a visit this coming May. I can't wait to have them over to see our new home and will definitely be counting the days until they get to Adelaide. My family loves to eat! We love to travel together (all 6, now 7 of us!) and explore new places around Manila, the Philippines and the world. They are my favourite foodie buddies and the most responsive of my food posts each and every time. 

One of our favourite destinations is Hong Kong. We have been going there since I was in 4th grade (you guys can do the math!) and have seen restaurants come and go and come back again. Although we love the exploring, we can also be creatures of habit. You can count on us being back in the same restaurants and eating our favourite dishes year after year given the chance to travel back. 

Our last trip to Hongkong last November was really special, it was the first time my husband was able to travel with the whole caboodle on an out of town trip. They were so excited to take him around and see him experience the country one meal at a time! Hong Kong is so full of great places to eat - the options will really have your head spinning.  For that trip, I decided to ask a friend that works in the area to recommend a list of places to try and from her list, we decided to have lunch at The Peak Lookout located in Victoria Peak in Hong Kong Island.

Overlooking the Aberdeen side of the Peak, the restaurant is located in a heritage building with a large courtyard for al fresco dining. Their menu is a vast international selection which is a reflection of the diversity of the chef team and staff that work here. They offer Asian specialties such as Hainan Chicken Rice & Thai Green Curry, various meats cooked in Tandoori style, grill items and seafood specialties. 

The prices are a bit more expensive than having yum cha or a bowl of noodles in the many chinese restaurants available but it makes for a great change for those staying in the area for a holiday. It was also nice to get away form the bussle of the city and just enjoy the surrounds of the restaurant and take the time to enjoy a meal with the people you are with.

'Til the next post!

Sharlyn

The Ferry Ride to Hong Kong Island

View from the Peak

Naan bread to start

The boys went for the burger

Mom's Hainan Chicken

Sandra's all time favourite - carbonara

Mich's Seafood Risotto

My chicken tikka

My family at the al fresco area overlooking Aberdeen

Information taken from website:

http://www.thepeaklookout.com.hk

Address: 121 Peak Road,
The Peak, Hong Kong
Tel:2849 1000
Fax:2849 4343
E-mail:info@peaklookout.com.hk
Online Reservation

By Peak Tram
Daily from 7am to 12:00mn
Frequency: 10-15 minutes
Fare: $22/single, $33/return
for adult
$8/single, $15/return for child
(aged 3-11)
or senior citizen(aged 65 or above) 

By Public Bus No 15
from Central Star Ferry Bus Terminal
Daily from 10am to 12:15am
Frequency: 12-15 minutes
Fare: $9.8/adult; $4.9/child
(aged 3-11) or local senior card holder
By Public Bus No 15B 
from Tin Hau MTR Station
Sunday & Public Holidays from
12:40pm to 7:40 pm
Frequency: 20 minutes
Fare: $9.6/adult; $4.8/child
(aged 3-11) or local senior card holder
By Minibus No 1 from HK Airport Express Station
Mon-Sat from 6:30am to 11:59pm
Sun & Public Holidays
from 7:25am to 12:25am
Frequency: 5-12 minutes
Fare:$8/psn 

Discovery on North Tce - J & H Manila Trading

We were taking some friends from the Gold Cost to see the Adelaide Festival Northern Lights along North Terrace, when our dear friend Lourelei pointed out the Station Arcade along Hindley St. and told us about the Manila Trading store. Before doing my groceries for the week, I decided to check it out and see if it was better than the others we've been to.

Surprisingly Adelaide has a number of shops selling Filipino products, before 2007 I didn't realise that so many generations of Filipinos have already settled here. In Central Market and Henley Beach Road, the different Asian Groceries carry brands such as Mama Sita, Skyflakes, Datu Puti and Lucky Me!  The Bamboo House in Ingle Farm has some Filipino products among the varieties of cooked food on offering. There is also a Filipino Bakery in Port Adelaide that also has grocery products as well as shipping & money remittance services.

J & H Manila Trading is located in the 1/F of the Station Arcade fronting the Railway Station/Casino Buildings. The size of the store surprised me - they actually occupied 2 shops and have grocery products, clothes and bags.  They also have shipping and remittance services. One large box to be shipped to Manila costs around $120.00 regardless of weight. 

What I appreciated the most though was that the store was so clean! It was well lit, and did not have dusty produce in the shelves. Grocery items available are various canned goods such as Vienna Sausage, Sardines, Canned Laing & Sisig.  They also sell different kinds of Bagoong and other spices. 750 ml bottles of Toyomansi, Soy Sauce, Vinegar and Patis range from about $2.80-3.00.  Manila Trading also has freezers full of Filipino vegetables, cooked dishes (like dinuguan) and even cooked saba! My favorite find of the day though was the packs of Eng Bee Tin Hopia in Ube and Monggo flavours! 

It's great to find that I don't have to leave the city to get my Pinoy goodies! 

'Til the next post!

Sharlyn


J&H Manila Trading

Regina Iglesias
Proprietor

Shop 4 & 5 Sation Arcade
52 Hindley St., Adelaide
SA 5000

Tel. 08 8231 7772
Fax 08 8231 7774
Mob 0412 647 373
Email rci.regina@yahoo.com.au

Engagements...Anniversaries in COS!

In December 2007 Mart & I had the "talk" and decided to move forward in our relationship. That was a special weekend and everything about it was perfect!

Part of the reason it was so perfect was our little discovery on charming little Leigh street, COS! This restaurant was written about then for it's great lunches, and we certainly did.  The restaurant is in a heritage building with a charming courtyard for al fresco dining.  Cos' specialty are the steaks, and they do not disappoint! In fact the steaks here are one of the best I've ever had from anywhere in the world, including New York. In fact, it has recently won again for the Best Steak Restaurant category for Restaurant & Catering South Australia. So for our 1st year wedding anniversary, we decided to make our way back to this special place.

Cos has an extensive menu which includes oysters, aged steaks and various seafood dishes.  They also present seasonal 2-3 course set menus (price ranges from $47.50 and $60.00 respectively).  I must say though that our absolute favourite and is our must have is their Ceasar's salad. The salad is served with a poached egg and whole pieces of anchovy fillets. This is a dish we absolutely crave! For our mains we both had scotch fillets - grilled medium rare - the steaks are so tender and have great flavour. Each steak comes with your choice of sides and sauce - I had mine with a bearnaise sauce and truffle mash, I honestly didn't need the sauce because of such flavourful meat - I will definitely ask for sauce to be placed on the side for my next visit and the beautiful smell of the truffle made each bit heavenly - and this is no exaggeration. Mart picked for himself a swiss mushroom cream sauce and shoe string french fries - this sauce is so good and is a must try!

For dessert, i had a warm rhubarb compote with vanilla ice cream and Mart had a chocolate mousse type dessert.  Needless to say they were both very good and it was a great cap to a great meal! The walk home was definitely a hard one - because we were both so full from dinner! I know this is a place we will always go back to - we still aim to take a group to attack the TOMAHAWK (smallest cut was 1.4 kg that day)! Any takers??

'Till the next post!

Sharlyn

View of Leigh Street

Restaurant Interiors

Bubbly is our choice for special occasions - Cos has an extensive wine selection

The best ceasar's salad - $17.90

Steaks range from 250-500 gm cuts - price ranges from $30-40

price includes your choice of sides & sauce. 

This is the 300 gm Scotch fillet.

Mart's perfect bite!

desserts are priced at $15.90 each

Contact information taken from : http//www.justcos.com.au

Address 
18 Leigh St Adelaide
S.A 5000

Phone: 8231 7611
Fax: 8231 7644

Email: cos@justcos.com.au

---

Opening Hours
Monday - Friday 12 pm to 3 pm (lunch)
Monday - Saturday 6 pm - late (dinner)