Day 360: Dinner at World

This will most likely be my last time at World Bar & Cafe *tear*. I was upset at the fact that they didn't have calamari that night. Shame because it's goooood! How can I leave without their good calamari?!

Anyway, this was another nice evening with my manager. We shopped and worked up an appetite. We've declared Thursday official "Diana Day" and "Thursday Funday".  So you heard it here first: Thursday is the new Friday ;-)

Oh, and I rushed back for Grey's ... and it wasn't on!! WTH?!

Day 348: Cukoo!

We went to dinner at Cukoo restaurant in Mt. Dandenong. It's a German buffet "experience". Honestly, the food wasn't great but it was a good time. Unfortunately, I wouldn't go back to the restaurant. After dinner we drove over to the observation point. Even though it was dark, the view was gorgeous. I could only imagine what it's like in the morning.

Day 324: Bimbo Deluxe

I met up for dinner and drinks with my friends at Bimbo Deluxe. I've passed by this place every time I've been to Brunswick St. and I never bothered to look in because it doesn't look like much from the outside. I was surprised at how big this place was. It's quirky, it's funky, it's stylish.... it's so Melbourne. 

We went for the Wednesday $4 pizza deal! Yup, a $4 meal in Melbourne actually exists! Their pizzas were tasty, but we had to wait 40 minutes for them. And, their chocolate dessert pizza is A-MAZING. We were all convinced that we should have ordered at least two each. I'll be going back for more chocolate pizza. 

Day 316: Lunch in the city

I escaped the office and found my way to Cafe Vue for lunch. My friend said their burgers were supposed to be bomb... but I thought they were OK and actually overpriced. On my way back to work I stopped by a small bakery to pick up some surprise Valentine's Day pastries for two of my lady co-workers. I remembered that they loooooved this place, so I couldn't pass by without picking up a little something for them.  They were so surprised and delighted when they found their pastries.  

Happy Valentine's Day.

In case you were wondering, Adonis and I don't do the V-Day thing. 

Day 313: Cafe-ing

My day started off with being convinced that I wasn't stepping a foot outside. But early afternoon hit and I stepped out on the balcony.... glad I did! It was a nice cool summer day. I packed up my stuff and headed to a local cafe. For some reason I've always wanted to be one of those people that worked on their laptops in cafes lol. This time I actually have a reason to do so because I'm working on a top-secret project and needed to get out the apartment to make progress. I had my coffee and blueberry muffin while I Skyped with my sister at the cafe (thank you free wifi!). Then, I spent about two hours in the cafe! No one harassed me or tried to kick me out for staying without ordering more food. Melbourne is cool like that. I'll be back next weekend.

Oh... Have we talked about coffee in Australia? Just in case we haven't I'd like to let you know that you don't order coffee the same way you do in the U.S.  For example, I like coffee with milk and sugar. In Australia I have to order a "flat white" with sugar. Other types of coffee include "long black", "short black", and then the regular lattes, cappuccinos, etc. Before I landed in Australia I rarely drank coffee. I might have a cup a month.  But, the delicious Aussie coffee has turned me into a coffee drinker. I now drink one cup a day or every other day. Geeze. How am I supposed to go back to American coffee?! My co-workers like it when I say "coffee" because you can really hear my New York accent: "caw-fee" lol.

Day 312: Friday + Friends = Fun

Sarah + Tung

A Friday evening with friends is exactly what I needed! We started with 2 for 1 drinks, ate a gazillion dumplings, and continued with drinking on a rooftop. I'll admit that I did think about my lover-man all night because I wish he was with us. Ugh... so sappy *barf* lol. 

Day 307: Jordanian Yogurt Sauce!

As you know we have attended many cook-offs and collaborations dinners. Our good friend has made a Jordanian dish where the yogurt sauce is the star. He's right when he says that you can't ever have too much sauce... so i asked him to teach me how to make it! In return he asked me to teach him how to make two of my specialty items. I won't say the specifics because if I do, some of you will be a little salty. Anyway, we spent the afternoon making breakfast for lunch and learning how to make the yogurt sauce. Mucho yum!

Day 298: Steak & Shake

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Day 295: Soul Food

A lil taste of Americana

As soon as we arrived back in Melbourne I had to cure this wing fix! We headed to TGI Fridays and all I ordered was this. Wings. After 5 days of "bush" food this was a relief. I can't wait to get back to my local, or not so local bar in the Bronx and hit up WING NITE!!!
Now on to recovering,
That is all....

Day 286: Cook Off #3

Ceviche Tartlets by Adonis 

Simosas by Yasmin

"Deez Balls" by me!

Kebabs by Omar

Curry Lasagne by Sangita

Yogurt Sauce Beef Dumplings by Adam

Baked Ziti by Adonis

Creme Burlee by Jen

Caribbean Banana/Lime/Coconut Pie

Losers have to wash the dishes!

OH yes... another delicious cook-off! Nine of us prepared our mains, entrees, and desserts. Our new friend Jen won the cook off with her amazing Creme Brulee, Judith came in second with her Caribbean  Pie, and I came in third place with "Deez Balls"!! My dish won best of food. I'm so excited that people love my balls lol!

Day 282: Chile Relleno Fail

Roasting off the skin

I love Chile Relleno and I finally tried to make this delicious dish.  It's definitely more complicated than I thought it would be. There were plenty of factors that contributed to the failure of this first attempt lol. First of all, I asked Adonis to get the wrong type of chile. Secondly, I'm not good at frying. I was doing well until the last step (which was frying the chile/pepper).  That's when Adonis stepped in to save me. 

This won't be the last time I make Chile Relleno. I shall be victorious! 

Day 280: Veggies ONLY

After that ridiculous amount of meat we ate last night, we needed a break.  Adonis made a flavorful veggies-only dinner: Corn, steamed broccoli w/ cheese sauce, cucumber and tomato vinaigrette, and roasted eggplant.

Day 279: Steer

We met friends for dinner at Steer.  It's a steakhouse on Chapel St. This place was pricey! Buuuut, the food was deeeeeeelicious and the drinks were on point.  Before we ordered the waiter came out with a slab o' meat. It was the first time I saw anything like it. It was kinda weird to see the raw meat on display but it made it easier to order. Yum, Yum, double Yum, Yum!

Oh, and to our surprise, they served Hawthorn Beer! Remember our first post about them??

Day 277: Friday BBQ

Adonis made his famous delicious burgers as well as chicken and sausage

See the creepers in the background?!

Blurry... but I like it

We miss hosting and entertaining our friends and family. Back home we would have a dinner or Rock Band or Dance Central party at least once a month. Our friends/family came over for good food, laughs, and good company... and they could always found it in our home.

It was a gorgeous day, we worked hard all week, so why not drink and eat?! Adonis pulled the BBQ together effortlessly .... as usual.  We had a great turn out (honestly, more than we expected), every one mingled, the food was delicious, the drinks were much needed, and the weather was perfect!

We were reminded how fortunate we are to have met such great people in Australia.

Day 268: BBQ with The James'

Black Swans tried to run our steaks!! They had the nerve to walk up to the table and hiss @ us!

Albert Park

Albert Park

Albert Park

It is conveniences like these that make me rethink coming home. Free for public use grill stations and fully covered pavilions with plenty of seating, overlooking a Palm tree lined lake in the middle of the city! Oh, and you can drinky drink. It was a little last minute, but the weather was just to nice to let go to waste. I am fond of couch time, but this is obviously a better way to spend the afternoon/evening. Since we had all of this food, we gave a shout to Reggie and his wife. They joined us at the park and the rest is steak, corn, and potato salad history.