Mosaic on a plate *

Wildly exuberant mosaic plated before my eyes,
for pixels of decorative art forming a garden 
of surrounds where my light lunch lies.

Call me crazy, but isn't this colourful sight
too delicate to disturb?

turkey, camembert, alfalfa and cranberry sauce on toasted think-cut brown bread

Cafe Marco

144 Burwood Road

Burwood NSW 2134

+61 2 9747 6035

Affogato Aficionado *

I am a firm believer in giving food a second chance, or three shots as the case may be. Some places will make you come back again and again, whether it be for the food, ambience, service, price or simply the memories of delightful dining experiences in the past. Other places will just be the same story over, and over again. Oliveto is our local Italian, albeit quasi-fine dining with an arguably unjustified price tag for what is on offer. Nevertheless, we were pleasantly surprised to find they have revamped some elements of their menu. So I present to you, the new and improved Affogato. May I add, I would come back again just to enjoy this dolci, perfect on a Winter's night!

Three shots: Vanilla bean gelato, espresso and nutty amaretto.

plus paper-thin crisp almond biscotti

Oliveto Ristorante & Bar

Brays Bay Park Reserve

443 Concord Road

Rhodes NSW 2138

+61 2 8765 0006

The Westin - Mad Hatter's Tea Party *

"The Mad Hatter is having afternoon tea.

We welcome you to share in his glee.

A curious menu, under our clock chime

From noon to 6 daily, so do be on time."

One of the most memorable parts of Alice's adventure in wonderland. Perhaps the expression "Mad as a Hatter" stems from the tendency of professional Hatters in the 18th and 19th centuries who develop dementia from exposure to mercury during the production of felt. These unfortunate workers were perceived at the time as insane. And if you're wondering what the 10/6 on the Mad Hatter's Hat means, it is thought to be a price tag for ten shillings sixpence. If only high tea cost the same amount in modern times!

To celebrate my mother's birthday, we indulged in her favourite past time - scones! Of course, the lovely surrounds in The Westin and slightly mad theme made our tea party that much more memorable.

Happy birthday mum!

chocolate mudcake and blueberry macaroon

Freshly baked scones, homemade strawberry/raspberry conserves & cream

The Westin

No. 1 Martin Place

Sydney NSW 2000

+61 2 8223 1111

Lady strikes confusion *

The No.111 Rule of a Lady:

"A wise girl kisses, but doesn't love.

Listens, but doesn't believe.

And leaves, before she is left."

- Marilyn Monroe

The best feeling in the world is knowing that you actually 
mean something 
to someone.

Everyone says love hurts but that is untrue.
Loneliness hurts.
Rejection hurts.
Losing someone hurts.
Envy hurts.
Everyone gets these things confused with love.

But in reality,
Love 
is the only thing in this world
that covers up all the pain and
makes someone feel whole again.

Nothing in the room *

The Paradox of our Age

We have bigger houses but smaller families.
More conveniences, but less time.
We have more degrees, but less sense.
More knowledge, but less judgment.
More experts, but more problems.
More medicines, but less healthiness.
We've been all the way to the moon and back
but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbour.
We built more computers to hold more information 
to produce more copies than ever, but have less communication.
We have become long on quantity, but short on quality.
These are times of fast foods but slow digestion.
Tall man but short character.
Steep profits but shallow relationships.

It's a time when there is much in the window
but nothing in the room.

...

May I ask one question Dalai Lama:
"Why?"

Breakfast at Tiffany's, no more *

Welcome to the age of un-innocence.

No one has breakfast at Tiffany's and
no one has Affairs to Remember.
Instead we have breakfast at 0600 and
see guys we try to forget as quickly as possible.
Self protection and closing the case are paramount.
Cupid has flown the Co-op (bookshop).

How the hell did we get into this mess.

There are thousands,
maybe tens of thousands 
of women like this in the city.
We all known them and we agree they are great.
They travel, they pay taxes.
They spend $1,100 on a pair of Manolos -
yet they're alone.
It's like the Riddle of the Sphinx.

Some day your prince will come.
Mine took a wrong turn, got lost
and is too stubborn to ask for directions...

The Rehearsal of the Ballet Onstage *

I am a place with immense substance and story,
where everyone can achieve their glory.
A masquerade shall be my term,
where you can be anyone
from Athena, Bottura, Jobs, Condezz
to Denning LJ before we adjourn.

life is a Stage *

The Rehearsal of the Ballet Onstage

Edgar Degas (1834-1917)