Met Gala 2013 *

Since 1948, an annual ball is held in NYC to celebrate the opening of the Metropolitan Museum of Art fashion exhibit at the Costume Institute. Considered to be one of the most exclusive red carpet events in the fashion world, it was undoubtedly a "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" affair on 6 May 2013. The exhibition incorporates 100 designs from fashion archives to document the presence of punk on the runway since the times of the Sex Pistols, Blondie and Vivienne Westwood, as well as recognising its ongoing influence today.

Sarah Jessica Parker

Giles Deacon

headpiece: Philip Treacy

(single & fabulous SATC)

Blake Lively

Gucci

(xoxo gossip girl)

Anne Hathaway

Valentino

(devil wears prada, but not on this occasion)

Anna Wintour

Chanel

(when you organise the event, who cares about the theme? apparently Wintour claims pink is the colour of punk)

Jennifer Lopez

Michael Kors

(no longer jenny from the block)

Kate Beckinsale

Alberta Ferretti

(from underworld to serendipity)

Nina Dobrev

Monique Lhuillier

(lady of the night, so says the vampire diary anyway)

Massimo Bottura *

"Innovation is the tradition of the future.

The dishes don't only feed your stomach.

They feed your soul, your brain, your ideas and yourself.

They are stories about my territory.

Massimo Bottura is my culinary icon.
Living your dreams is the hardest thing for one to achieve.
Going against social expectations, family pressures
to pursue a career you love.

Born in Modena his father wanted him to become a lawyer.
Everyone laughed at what he was doing and labelled him as crazy. 
His cooking was once met with derision, yet in recent years 
an avant-garde approach has propelled 
Osteria Francescana to be one of the world's best restaurants
and Massimo Bottura being named Best Chef in the World 2011.

Machiavelli *

"The restaurant that means Business.

Genuine fine food by people who live and breathe Italian cuisine.

Chefs are happy to indulge any special requests,

if you in turn will indulge them with the necessary time to prepare it."

Infamous as a restaurant institution where the power elite frequent, you may recognise the striking wall images of some of Sydney's movers & shakers. Thus it is apt that the restaurant's namesake is Niccolò Machiavelli- a historian, politician, diplomat, philosopher, humanist and writer based in Florence during the Renaissance. If you are lucky, perhaps you may notice a prominent patron sitting beneath their portrait! 

Utterly superb food, service and ambience. Wait staff embodied the essence of friendly Italian hospitality, many of whom have been working at the restaurant since it opened 20 years ago. I cannot sing enough praise after my dining experience except to declare this to be my favourite Italian henceforth. If I had to pick my personal stand-outs, I would highly recommend the gnocchi gorgonzola and antipasto misto!

As aforementioned, it does mean business in the sense of being a perfect setting for corporate lunches and the like. Three and a half hours later, along with several glasses of Pinot Grie, our work luncheon concludes. Unfortunately no food photographs today (for which I apologise profusely), as one 'tries' to be professional during work hours. 
*Promise to capture the food next time!

Machiavelli

123 Clarence Street

Sydney NSW 2000

+61 2 9299 3748

TK Bookshelf *

If I were Thomas Keller,

this would be my bookshelf.

Casually on display are a few of NYC's finest eateries...

Eric Rupert *

And again,
one of those kodak moments in NYC
while dining at Le Bernardin.
Exceptional food, service, and unforgettable experience indeed.


Invited to take a photograph with Eric Rupert 
behind the scenes where all the culinary magic is conjured... in the kitchen!
I was so happy, it literally brought a tear to my eye.

The Blonde Salad *

Guess what they say is true...
you literally bump into celebrities everywhere in NYC!
Strolling around MOMA, I literally did a double take.
Spotted:
The Blonde Salad!