Go

What’s for Dessert?

Posted on by Eatlovego

Tonight, dessert is eating straight from a Ben ‘n’ Jerry’s tub of Tonight Dough and last night, it was a mid-week apple and rhubarb crumble (making the most of rhubarb being in season right now!)

I’m the type of person who has a separate stomach for dessert, the one who always checks the dessert menu first and then plans my order in reverse and the one who on more then one occasion has ordered one of each dessert on the menu because, if not why not!

If there’s chocolate molten or anything salted caramel on the menu, then Mr ELG knows it’s a given. But I also have a sweet spot for pavlova, banoffee pie (my sister makes the best one!), chocolate mousse, apple tarte tatin, bread and butter pudding, pecan pie and an affogato. I also love a line of Whittaker’s chocolate, a bite sized chunk of rocky road and port wine jelly. And if I’m making dessert, then it’s anyone’s guess but there is ALWAYS dessert in this house (if necessary, this is in addition to a cheese board!).

My sister’s banoffee pie

Yesterday I spotted the PERFECT recipe book for me on the shelf of The Cookery Book aptly named “What’s for Dessert?” Plainly, it was talking to me. The Cookery Book is the most divine book store dedicated to cook books. I’ve lived in and around this location for decades and my daughter even went to the school opposite it for a few years, but for whatever reason I never went in. So it was a serendipitous time to go in yesterday and immediately discover this beauty that I can’t wait to get into page by page. At first glance, there are so many desserts that a) make me salivate just looking at the photos and b) I can’t wait to test out!!

So the burning question I will leave you with is, who’s coming over as I plan for tomorrow’s dessert!!??

Notes on May

Posted on by Eatlovego

I’m no fortune teller but as the mornings feel crisper and the sun slips between the shadows faster, these are my May predictions:

EATs:

  • I’m on this thing called “gardening leave” at the moment and one of life’s loves is reading recipe books. I have lots of them even after culling often. I used to work for a book publisher so that could be the culprit (or not) because in any case, I find myself still accumulating them. With this unexpected time on my hands, it gives me more time to cook new recipes and old favorites, experiment and source ingredients, test and taste so friends, please come round as I also love nothing more to feed people (or Alfie) who love to eat.
  • Ramen. As Sydney settles into Autumn and the Vivid ads start to really emerge (May is that month when Sydney literally lights up), I’m on the hunt for the best ramen. I have my usual haunts but with my free days, I’m keen to taste and explore knowing very well it will be likely a solo effort as it’s not a fave for Mr ELG but I sense there’s some new spots that have popped up that I’ve yet to find.
  • Porridge. Ever so warm that it almost burns your tongue. Topped with caramelized walnuts and poached cinnamon apple slivers. Maggio’s, Laneway, Ellie May’s are all fine Cammeray cafes in their own ways, yet it is the somewhat tucked-away Cammeray Cafe that lured me in this morning solely for its porridge that’s not on the blackboard menu but as someone who goes there often, knows to ask for it anyway. You need a bit of time as it’s made on demand but it’s a love that warms the heart and mind on a Monday.

LOVEs

  • Last week, this Sarah Wilson podcast was shared with me and I was introduced to this concept of red threads and “tilting”, as explained by renowned researcher Marcus Buckingham. The entire 50 minutes really resonated with me. The idea is that if we embrace chaos and tilt towards these red threads, then this energy strengthens us, bringing heightened joy and love, throughout our lives and enables us to thrive (& not just survive). Last night, I downloaded his book to my kindle and am excited to read “Love + Work”. People often make comments to me and observe that I say yes and do lots of things, that my life is chaotic and question how I find the time… I don’t have a concrete answer for them but listening to the podcast and reading the opening chapters of this book is the closest I’ve ever come to defining this life of mine.
  • This morning I read a post that a colleague had written on LinkedIn. She had recently been to a Gabby Bernstein event where she learnt that “the universe will never give you anything you cannot handle”. Inspiration for my Monday and what’s getting me going right now are Dr Seuss quotes, mantras and manifestations and discovering loose red threads
  • Happy skirt. In one of my posts last week, I referred to my love of pink and how the psychology of colour can influence my mood and mindset. Now I hear it’s called Dopamine Dressing and while I’m not sure if that particular ‘label’ describes it, I do know that when I put this particular Frankie’s Melbourne skirt on, the vibrant ombré colour palette, the tulle texture and swing of a ruffle energizes me every.single.time so why wouldn’t I intentionally do something that brings me joy! It needs no ironing so it’s always packed in my luggage and I absolutely love it!
Said skirt rolled & packed for Abu Dhabi trip.
Christmas Eve delights with Joe!

GO

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own, and you know what you know. And you are the guy who decides where to go”

Dr Seuss

Go in this blog was typically meant to be about destinations (reference to new restaurants, shops I’d found, places I’d been to) and it still will be as my energy to discover knows no bounds. But go right now in my life is more than ever about the journey. With this priceless time, I’m reflecting, reading, getting cosy in the pause. I’m being picky whilst saying yes and choosing where to put my energy. I’m enjoying being able to do school pick ups and love a carpool karaoke sesh with the kids. I’m baking more, bingeing on The Last Thing He Told Me (because I loved the book by Laura Dave) and catching up on Ted Lasso. I’m dreaming of a white Christmas and wandering through Christmas markets in Prague so will end this post here to do more of just that.

Pâté and the pescatarian

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I love pâte. Foie gras too and any other names it may be called.

I try not to think too much about what it’s made of and have only ever questioned the specific origin of liver when I was in the Hunter Valley and the restaurant tried to mask goat as chicken. If you’re wondering, they don’t taste the same and the plate was sent back to the kitchen pronto for trying to pull the wool over our eyes on that one!

Pâte is one of those things that if it’s on the menu, with warm brioche or dry crackers, then it’s an immediate order. If I had a preference, I love a duck and Grand Marnier combo.

I was invited to a lovely lunch at Bar Totti’s today. As Merivale restaurants go, this is a winner and if it was just me and Mr ELG, there would be a few things I’d order immediately; cue the wood-fired bread, chicken liver parfait, burrata, and a Totti’s Margarita or two but as a guest, I was happy to go with the flow and eat whatever! As we discussed any food intolerances, I became aware that my two other fellow lunch buddies were both pescatarians (a person who does not eat meat but does eat fish).

Chicken liver parfait and a Totti’s margarita.
Nom nom nom

The food came out quickly (love a quick service) and to my surprise, a plate of Totti’s chicken liver parfait came out. Lucky me, I thought. So, there I was… mid-conversation helping myself to generous amounts to spread on my warm wood-fired bread when all of a sudden, my pescatarian lunch buddy takes some chicken liver parfait for herself. Ummm??! “I make an exception only for this chicken liver pâté”, she sheepishly says. And yes, after a good laugh, we agree that it is that bloody good to turn a pescatarian.

Burrata and the warm wood-fired bread

xoxo.

Slingshot to Singapore

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Gin, cherry brandy, Cointreau, angostura bitters, pineapple juice, lime juice, Benedictine liqueur and lots of ice. Shaken vigorously and served with mint leaves for garnish. Add a bowl of raw peanuts (in shell) and you’re basically in Raffles courtyard or Long Bar if you don’t mind a queue. Optional steamy weather doused with high humidity if you really want to recreate the scene but under Sydney’s rain clouds today, I’ll settle for the cocktail as described above especially as it’s always 5pm somewhere!!

I love a good cocktail and when ‘in Rome’ or rather Singapore, a Singapore Sling is a must-do! Preferably ordered at the iconic Raffles hotel, synonymous with its classic British colonial architecture and just under a fortnight ago, this was me… happy in happy hour living my best life.

Since our Aussie borders reopened post pandemic, Singapore (known for its Crazy Rich Asians) has been an on repeat, go-to destination of mine (I even featured in a Qantas travel insider clip…enticing people to go eat chili crab!) and from my recent trip, I am excited to report back that there are less masks, more “lahs” and so many escapades to be had!!

Tash tips:

1. Go Hawker Style! Singapore has so much variety in its food pickings. You just need to look up, stay curious and have an open mind (otherwise you could easily eat Shake Shack every day!) Singapore is a place where you can just as easily get a $1.30 tray of char kway teow (yes that is me eating my rice noodles off brown paper on the floor totally enjoying it) to a $1,300 plate of premium grade wagyu (I didn’t order this) with everything in between. On our last night, we made it to Lau Pa Sat whipping up our own shandys (sprite and tiger beer) to drink with our 200 chicken satay sticks under the festive lights on Robinson Street.

$1.30 deliciousness

2. If it’s your first time or fifth time, do the touristy things and see them through a different lens each time. Be amazed by Gardens by the Bay and weirdly feel like you’re in Avatar surrounded by giant tree structures, pay the (redeemable) $30 at Cé La Vie and ride up the 57 levels of Marina Bay Sands (day or night) and marvel at how everything looks like Lego pieces because you are up so high. Singapore is seriously a feast for the eyes in every way possible!

$12 to walk around the trees

3. Buy the “Chicago” popcorn from Garrett (so grateful there was one at Changi airport T1 departures) Don’t overthink it as the salty and sweet combo is sooo good… literally cheese and caramel popcorn pieces combined. Yes, I had a nanosecond delay too before nodding my head to purchase. Seriously new love affair.

So, whilst I go and get my shaker to mix up a few more Slings, please share any of your Singapore faves in 🧵. XOXO

Press restart

Posted on by Eatlovego

This is my first post in over a decade. I’ve often thought about writing again and got distracted but at 2am this morning, I thought it’s time.

I started this blog just before I had my first child and as of Saturday, he was officially a tween! It was designed to be a side hustle, a penny for my thoughts, a place for me to share all the details on the colours and tastes, sights and skies. A merry-go-round of experiences!

So, if this is your first time here or you’re returning for the ride, my name is Tash and 12+ years later, I now have two kids and a labradoodle. I live harbour side in Sydney, Australia and am married to a gorgeous man (Mr ELG) who secretly wishes he was sunning himself on Beso Beach off the coast of Spain. And despite the pandemic, the verbs that define this blog still occur all.the.time.

So let’s press restart, follow me and keep reading as I eat, love and go (snapped in Tokyo, February 2023 because who doesn’t love the happiest place on earth!) as I sign off á la Gossip Girl (a longtime love) with a big fat XOXO

Love a whole lot of ME time

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Two hours ago I had a layer of clay lathered all over my skin as one part of the Rapt treatment at Endota Day Spa in the Hunter Valley. Jaime, my therapist, was halfway through telling me that clay draws the toxins to the skin when I think I switched off and realised I was smack bang in the midst of ME time and had another 24 hours to go.
Mr ELG and I have escaped the Sydney madhouse for a night away from MM. Our first full night away and while it’s only taken a couple of hours to realise I no longer need to tend to the every whim and need of a 13 month old child, I admit why didn’t I do this sooner!!
Driving down the F3 I just loved being able to have a full adult conversation, listen to music in peace, eat a bowl of soup while it’s still hot and most of all succumb to a 2 hour body treatment where the focus is solely ME!
So now I sit here in front of a smoldering fire with two warm scones to nibble on complete with a peppermint tea, mulberry jam and vanilla bean cream. I have the latest issues of Luxury Travel and Masterchef magazine to flick through and another two hours of blissful ME time whilst Mr ELG undergoes the same relaxing 2 hour body treatment at the hands of Jaime.
I now look forward to a yummy dinner where I don’t have to ask if there’s a high chair available and sleep which ends with a sleep in past 7am.
And finally I love having a sister who MM can stay with and become one of the gang with her other kids whilst mum and dad can spend time just being us.

A giant’s hot cross bun

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Oh and forgot to tell you about breakfast as here at ELG central, Easter is one of our most loved holidays and the three of us decided to get a head start on the hot cross bun intake. I bought this yesterday at another love; Bourke Street Bakery. Their bakers have obviously had a bit of fun in the kitchen and may have taken some inspiration from James and the Giant peach as this hot cross bun is certainly not small. It was the size of a standard dinner plate and after warming it in the oven, the waft of cinnamon and nutmeg filled my home and with some butter; breakfast was a big slice of heaven. If you’re in Sydney and love a good hot cross bun, this one doesn’t disappoint so go and grab one today!

Bourke Street Bakery @ 633 Bourke Street Surry Hills, NSW 2010

 

Eat Love Go dream…no pizza involved!

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Saw this on Saturday and thought Huh??? Thought I might have to go and have a chat to the owner about some copyright issues… 🙂

But as I walked away; my mind began to wander and maybe this whole blog thing could one day lead to a little shop that I would love to own and run. Called Eat Love Go. A little cafe with vases of fresh flowers everywhere…where I could make my favourite ricotta hotcakes with chocolate honeycomb butter or on every second day I could alternate and make my apple pancakes with cinnamon yogurt and golden syrup….whatever I love to eat! There will be the Barossa Breakfast blend by Scullery Made Tea of course, as that’s another love. And if pancakes are not taking my fancy then I will always whip up some of my Chocolate and Apricot gourmet muesli inspired by another love – Farmer Jo.

And don’t worry I do see there to be more than just breakfast on the menu but I need to do some more thinking and dreaming…

And what about the GO? Well, I’ve recently taken up some freelance writing in Travel (have a look at Travel Hunch if you’re curious) and if you have read some of my previous posts, you will know that on my travels here and there, I do like to pick up things which remind me of where I have been. So it might be some Carthusia perfume from Capri on the shelves next to some hot pink Pretty Ballerina ballet flats from Cannes, placed next to a shantung silk scarf from Launceston….a small selection of loves evolving over time!

Well…just a thought of mine and thanks for reading!

 

Friday night cooking

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There is something about Friday night cooking that I’m not a fan of. I just opened the fridge, then the freezer trying to rumble up some inspiration to get the juices flowing for what to cook tonight but as always there was zilch, nudder, nothing.

Someone also made a comment to me during the week that there hasn’t been a lot of go and eat posts of new places on ELG for a while and with no excuses to offer you or reports that I have been in a cave due to hibernation (wrong season!), I honestly put it down to being a mum and having a small fry on the go. After too many stares from people when MM made a small shout during entree or having a fair few people trip over the wheels of the pram even though I have tried to shove it in the corner – I admit I have become one of those mums who just prefers to be at home for meal times, where MM can scream as much as he likes and leave the staring to Mr ELG and I .

But last Friday night, I put that all to one side and braved the outside once again to try my luck at Pizza Moncur…dinner for the ELGs in the heart of Woollahra. Diagonally opposite the Woollahra hotel and next door to the well loved Big Mamas, Pizza Moncur has suburb sophistication written all over it with its black and wooden design. A lovely French waiter pointed us to a table kerbside with plenty of room for MM and his stroller to sit on the pavement. The menu had both the usuals (four cheeses) and the unusuals and between the two of us, we had one of each. Mr ELG can not go past a Quattro Formaggi although I note this one had haloumi which is on the rare side and I chose a Mediterranean style consisting of red peppers, scallops, chorizo and chili jam.

Pizzas were served on a square black slate and the base is thin with texture with extravagant amounts of topping. Both pizzas were in one word; divine. Clear tastes, hot and crisp just out of the woodfired oven and the accompanying friendly service finished off the night. There were no stares from other patrons as MM was on his best behavior and as we ate piece by piece, we noticed that the restaurant also does a roaring trade of takeaway on foot and scooters delivering boxes to the door.

Hmmm and as the clock approaches 3pm, I am still wondering what’s for dinner tonight?

Happy Friday!

Pizza Moncur @ 101 Queen Street, Woollahra NSW 2025

salt and caramel

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Salt and caramel. It’s up there with the best of food marriages….lamb and rosemary, chocolate and raspberry, egg and bacon. And truth be told, it’s all I can think about it this morning and when it’s not even midday on this glorious sunny Friday and I have read the phrase “salted caramel” twice already, well I think the food gods are trying to tell me something! Correct me if I’m wrong…. 🙂

First sighting: clicking into my Flipboard app this morning on my iPad and reading the latest Polka Dot Bride blog post. Miss Polka Dot has willingly shared Baroque Bistro’s recipe of their beautiful salted caramel macarons. I stare at the recipe and the photo takes me back to October 31, 2009 to be precise. The date of our Engagement party. Mr ELG and I had a “Party in the Park” at the Column gardens in Centennial Park in Sydney, Australia. The roses were in full bloom, the hedges freshly cut and the grass was soft and green. Mr ELG and I had just come back from a Paris trip where Laduree macarons were on our agenda each day. As Laduree has no Southern Hemisphere store, Baroque Bistro had the next best macarons (I prefer the delectable taste from the Rock’s Baroque kitchens over Zumbo any day but that’s my personal preference!) and if I recall correctly, I think I picked up 250 macarons that morning struggling to hold back from nibbling on a few. Salted Caramel was one of the flavours and take my word for it or get yourself down to Baroque Bistro today; the flavour combination is exquisite and as I write this post, know I am salivating!

Second sighting: while MM is snoozing and I have a spare ten minutes between chores, I grab the latest edition of Delicious magazine; Issue 113 – March 2012. In their latest foodiefile. there’s a write up on the latest cafe on the Surry Hills scene; The Hills. As I scan the short paragraph, my eyes find their way to “salted caramel shake”. Ooooohh I think; can I get there today with MM in tow? A shake with THE marriage of flavours today of all days would go down so well, so smooth, so satisfying on this summer’s day. OH I MUST GO!

If you need me, you know where I will be….happy Friday!

Baroque Bistro @ 88 George Street (corner of Hickson Road) The Rocks, Sydney Australia 2000

The Hills @ 61 Albion Street, Surry Hills NSW Australia 2010