Wish to be amazed @ Maze

It has been ages.... like way too long.
Last time I entered an entry, the weather was still bearable.
Now the average temp is around 12 every single day teaming with rain, hail & icy winds.
Winter has set deep in indeed. It is a very cold year this year.
I am feeling so uninspired about blogging.

Oh and that I am using my really shitty Sony Camera...
The photo editing afterwords drive me insane. Have to make myself bring out the D90 next time instead of pulling my hair out while editing photos on ACDsee (another reason annoys me but let's not get into that for now.)


Not that my life has been boring.
Actually I ate out quite a lot in the last few months,
I think I just can't be bothered to blog about it.
Thought I would try to get back in by adding my last night's experience dining at one of the latest creations by Gordon Ramsay - Maze Restaurant.

I was very excited about this dinner because the reviews I came across have been mainly positive and their degustation is so reasonably priced... I used the online booking which instantly confirm the availability and really appreciated that. I am mildly annoyed with all these casual-hence-do-not-take-booking dining venues popping up in Melbourne these days because they are so popular (due to the food not the no booking policy) it is a norm to wait between 30min to 1.5 hrs... on week nights! (Mamasita anyone?) which I think really defeat the whole 'casual no-booking' policy. Maybe they just want you to keep on drinking while waiting at the bar... Anyways...

We opted the chef menu and started with fresh bread (of some sort) and seaweed butter which everyone raved. The seaweed taste came through beautifully but I exercised self control knowing we have 7 dishes ahead.

Marinated beetroot with goats curd, cabernet sauvignon vinaigrette, toasted pine nuts: The combination of beetroot with goats curd are really nice. The tang of the beetroot made my mouth water and really get ready to enjoy the dishes later on.

Applewood smoked kingfish, fennel puree, pickled celery, globe artichoke & finger limes: first of the 3 courses diner can choose between 2 dishes. I purely chose this because babe opted for the other. Tasted lovely but didn't really impress me.

Seared yellow fin tuna, white radish, yuzu, enoki mushrooms & black garlic: the other choice other than Kingfish. This was probably the best dish of the night for ALL of us. The melt-in-your-mouth tuna teamed with what I thought being miso sauce (mayb it is yuzu) was just simply divine. Love this!

Pan seared scallop, caramelised kelp, samphire, mussels & champagne foam: famous dish of Maze. Quite nice probably my 2nd favourite. The scallop were actually from Canada which surprised me a bit because GR is all about fresh local produce isn't it?

Pan roasted barramundi, butternut squash, compressed cucumber; pumpkin seeds: 2nd choice to do of the night. I didn't choose this even though barramundi is probably my fav fish atm. I cook them alot at home myself. Actually I think that is why I decided to go for the quail. I only had a bite and it was ok if not a tad dry. I was told the fish skin were very crispy. 

Quail with vegies: errr just realised this dish is actually not on their site hence my poor description. The quail has fast becoming a favourite ingredient of restaurants in recent years. I had tried the best one ever from The Press Club and I just thought I would give it a try again. (not a big fan of quail esp done Chinese-canton way). Beautiful platting and I think they only take the best parts of the quail and lightly fried. (they were from Bendigo btw) Very tasty but not as juicy as I hoped. Maybe I should just go back to The Press Club... 

Lamb Cannon; shoulder, cauliflower puree anchovy, stinging nettles: last choice of the night for us to make which is not mine as I am not a big fan of lamb. And turned out a bit too lamb-y for everyone's liking. I only had a little bit.

Ox "tongue & cheek" caper; raisin, carrots; horseradish pomme puree: my last savoury dish and it is hm.... alright. Tasted very much like braised beef that my mum makes but with western sauce. The tongue has been braised for perhaps too long and lost its special texture that you go for when you order tongue... the carrots was actually very sweet. 

Have to say... something about the main courses, each components just didn't seem to compliment each other well enough IMO... Moving on to deserts, please excuse the blur pix, actually please excuse the shit photos, the dim lighting and my crap camera produced the worst possible photos. My Sony has this amazing ability to take blur photos even I have turned on: close focus, dim-lighting, auto-focus-at-nights. go figure.... argh!

another dish not included on the web menu. I remember it being passion fruit sobert and merigue with some fresh fruit: they are nice and sour which I love in a desert.

Maze "lamington", rosella jam with coconut sorbet crisp teamed with chiffon cake: a slight variation from the website again. Lamington is rich in chocolate and my favourite parts of the dish were the coconut sorbet with the crisp. I actually didn't finish this dish because a chocolate desert has to be amazing to make me finish all. (like that one from Jacques Raymond)

A pleasant surprise at the end, I think it is strawberry ice cream coated with white chocolate. I really liked it actually. Wish I could had 2 or 3. We were also given a little bag with sugar/chocolates to take home.

All in all, I think the chef's menu of $95 for 7 courses is really good value for money. However the whole menu lacks certain something to really impress me... 15hours on, I can only remember beetroot/goats curd and the tuna. I recently visited Embrasse whom proudly procure many local produces in their dishes and they were simply mind-blowing. I think I am slightly confused at what Maze is trying to achieve as it is not really a casual dining joint, yet the dishes are slightly too simple for a fine dining restaurant seeing its very modern deco/ formal service. 


Furthermore, apparently all the dishes are designed to be shared OR order more than just your usual entree/main/desert. But the serving sizes are leaning to the petite side...even for degustation. The boys actually commented on how they ain't very full after all 7 courses + bread. And to be honest, with $95 p.p budget, I can get an amazing entree and descent steak from Rockpool Bar&Grill. The service is friendly however I felt a little rushed at times perhaps I just eat too slow. 

I never think my blog is a foodie one and I don't think I am capable reviewing the food like a pro food critic esp with my fobby English.  At the end of the day I just want to record the food I have because my memories are getting really rustic. I feel I was perhaps expected too much from GR/Maze but I had a fantastic time with babe and 2 dear friends. That is what matter the most.  After dinner we walked to Crown and shops were still open so we went shopping. You can't get any better than that. :)

maze Melbourne
Level 1, Crown Metropol
Corner of Whiteman and Clarendon Streets,
Southbank, Victoria 3006 

sleepless night... yet again!

awww so pissed right now... 
I did a post and something happened..
so the whole editor only left with the letter 'n'
!!!!


Great this makes me even less sleepy. Just Great. 
Someone come over and smack me unconscious. 
These sleepless nights are getting too much.
I have been experiencing difficulty to sleep well in the last couple months.
Not every single night but most nights I would toss and turn for hours.... sometimes still awake at 4 or 5 am... on a Work Day.
Despite my no-intake on caffeine.
I really don't understand why esp I used to be someone who sleeps ALot. 


Vaguely... I think I know what is happening.
My life has changed fair a bit this year... 
I cannot say for better or worse... 
but whatever happening around has made me very anxious about my future
This covers almost all aspects...
Of cos instead of worrying I should really just get onto them but I have to admit. 
I am not moving things fast enough.... almost procrastinating even...
I don't understand... 
It is not me afraid the unknown but I am afraid of something I do not know.


Anyhow... no point stand in one spot and worrying. I should really get onto them!
Not that I have more years to waste on my hands... 


To finish this post on a happier note, 
here I present you a series of photos of one of Muffie's fav past time
The reason I said it is one of his favourite is because he doesn't do much apart sleeping all day
so I can only guess the remaining activity being one of his favourite...

Muffie: time to start grooming

Muffie: it is important to check where extra attention is required

Muffie: hard working is me!

Muffie: close the eyes and enjoy the moment

Muffie: time to sleep as soon as I am done.

Like the beat beat beat of the tom-tom

      

         

When the jungle shadows fall

Like the tick tick tock of the stately clock
As it stands against the wall
Like the drip drip drip of the raindrops
When the summer shower is through
So a voice within me keeps repeating you, you, you
Night and day, you are the one
Only you beneath the moon or under the sun
Whether near to me, or far
Its no matter darling where you are
I think of you


Day and night, night and day
Under the hide of me
There's an oh such a hungry yearning burning inside of me
And this torment wont be through
Until you let me spend my life making love to you
Day and night.
~~ written by Cole Porter


Yup it has been 3 weeks. Since the last long weekend.
I have been holding myself back really really hard.
But for how much longer??


Alexander Wang Baby/Mini Rocco
photo credits: tpf 

patterns and frills can actually match

Anyone who knows me would totally agree with me that I love frills. 

I always pick up frills when I go shopping so I have really restrained myself not to buy them so often

Came across this lovely Karen Walker dress a while ago when I was shopping for The outfit for babe's bday party.

I loved it but didn't ended up getting it as it wasn't cocktail enough for me

Destiny led me back to him a few weeks ago when I drop by Green With Envy (yes I do happen to drop by and that is My story and I am Sticking to it!)

I met him again and somehow he told me he is 50% off so I have to take him home.

Karen Walker A/W 10 Gypsy Tea Dress (look 35)

Just realised it looks so much nicer with the belt. Maybe I should try that. The above is actually the back of the dress and I think the gold zip adds something extra. The patterns make the frills almost hard to recognise IRL.

          

Wore the dress to H* birthday dinner a couple weeks ago with Asos over the knee boots. So comfortable and the 3/4 sleeve black jacket is from Rodeo Show. (gosh I take terrible outfits photos of myself... bleh..)

Jacques... you hold a special place in my heart.

To Edit: start this post back in March, tried in April and finally finished in May....
Jacques Raymond is such a well known restaurant in Melbourne... Or I should say in Australia. It has been taking 3 hats every year from The Good Food Guide for as long as I can remember.
I visited it a couple years ago and enjoyed it reasonably however VDM was still the love of my heart.
This year we decided to visit Jacques Reymond for babe's 30th plus our anniversary. And the food... oh the food... they were so amazing that every dish taste, aroma linger in my head for days after.
Definitely would love to visit again, especially Mr Raymond changes the menu per season.





We opted for the degustation. There seem to be some very nice selection from A la carte also which I like because you prob enjoy the food so much you visit regularly. The a la carte provide you choices.
(p.s. to my dismay a few days later after we dined at JR they changed the menu so I could only describe the dishes to a certain extent)

Bread Puffs: to start with. A bit salty and quite tasty



Delicate rock lobster chakin, broth of blue swimmer crap and asian sense fragrant coconut milk, palm oil: One of my top 3 of the night. The chakin is so soft and bouncy in texture. Every spoonful oozes ocean to me. I love love it!



Hiramasa king fish and ponzu, Harvey Bay Scallop, spice nougatine warm leek and chilli gherkin dressing: scallop is quite lovely. babe loves the king fish but I thought it was only alright.



Snapper with 4 peppers, fennel and white balsamic, sencha and lime emulsion: always loves fresh fish. the 4 peppers IMO is a bit too asian-influenced. Big fan of the foams. The taste it brings is very interesting. Certainly not a dish you can recreate at home.






Tempura quail breast, organic black rice, whipped persian fetta: babe loves this dish. the black rice is interesting. I like quail more and more and do notice them being used more in Melbourne restaurants.



Wallaby with lemon Myrtle and apple jelly, cider vinaigrette, combu celeriac cooked in salt crust: I never had wallaby before and wasn't looking forward to this dish in particular. However this is my top 3 of the night! the meat.... oh the meat.... how tender and juicy was the meat?! I could not believe it. It was fresh, sweet and incredibly tender. Love the dashi and the jelly gives a bit of tang. LOVE this dish big time!



Wagyu rump with something something: we also opted for this just in season truffle all the way from France and honestly I was tipsy and full by then. The truffle wasn't doing the whole dish much favor. Pretty nice... as much as you would expect a wagyu to be...



Babe gave me his truffle and we were joking saying each slice worth $5... (extra $25 per head me thinks)

This is me after a long day of work... obviously I need to visit my hairdresser soon to retouch my roots... which I did the very next day...

Darling birthday boy



Martini of bittersweet chocolate (mousse), coffee ganache, bourbon vanilla chantilly and cripsy rice puffs: I am never a big fan of chocolate desserts but the chocolate is not too sweet and the rice puffs provide some interest textures.

Pear and caramel, earl grey and orange tea ice cream, pedro ximenez jelly: last but not the least, my final top 3 dish of the night. This dessert is Amazing. My poor photo taking does not do it justice! (excuse me I was so full and so tipsy..) the caramel mousse was so creamy and the earl grey tea ice cream is to die for!! (heaven heaven heaven!!) then it teams with the plum jelly and bring the whole taste to another level. Def will go back to JR just for this!



Petit fours: time to go home. I didn't have any I was so full...



My meal will not be completed with tea. I need something to keep me awake after all the booze...
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Jacques Reymond Restaurant
www.jacquesreymond.com.au
78 Williams Rd
Prahran VIC 3181(03) 9525 2178
($250/head drinks inc)

Perhaps it is another drunken night away

I just want to know my life is not wasted away
I sit there everyday wondering what I could have become had I gone through my life
made choices differently
I do not want to regret my decisions nor would I am


A great life is not measured by the number of breaths you take
but the moments that take your breath away


I want to live my life knowing I have done what I can and be happy with my choice.

I will never forget you

It has been way too long since my last blog entry.
I have been extremely busy initially with the Kitty then parents arrived back Melbourne after 3 months away.
Everyday has so much to do yet so little time.
It would be really nice to be able to write more on my blog.


So back to my last entry about the lost Kitty. I put him outside the house the next day when I went to work to see if he would go back to his home.
And he was There when I got home! He was waiting at the front of my house for me.
I was quite moved because all I did was fed him and let him sleep in for the night. 
And he would waited for me for hours.... ( I went out for dinner so didn't get home until about 10pm) 
I started really have him around. He eats like a Monster. I fed him 2 cans of cat food a day plus dry food and he will still tries to eat Muffie's food.
Muffie is so inexperienced at these (or he is just a chicken!) that he could not do anything but standing next to his food bowl watching kitty happily eating away. 
I probably can't say these two have a great relationship... Muffie was always very tense while Kitty is around, you could tell he wanted to be friendly but he was really jumpy. 
Took Kitty to vet and all checked healthy and even Desexed. 

I letter dropped around my neighbourhood hoping his owner will come to find him.

Meanwhile Kitty is happily keeping me company. He is just so affectionate however can be too clingy at times.
I didn't get a Persian for no reason. lol

Kitty kept me company while I  was working from home one morning. He was sleeping and snoring.... 
Just Love his Silky fur.


Around 2 weeks ago. A kind man contacted me asking me if anyone has came for the Kitty and if not, he is happy to give him a home. I queried him as much as I could without sounding like carrying out an interrogation. 
I was this close to ask him if I can inspect his house... He sounded lovely though and has one other cat also.
I knew he would give Kitty a good home. 
I wanted to keep Kitty but in reality it is not possible for me... Deep down I knew he was not going to be with me for long.
That is why I never give him a name...

I will never forget him. xoxo I am glad he is being cared for.


Meanwhile Muffie is obviously much relaxed now he is back to be the King of the Jungle. lols

Muffie sleeps peacefully knowing no Kitty will jump on him suddenly or tries to scratch his tail... However I kind of think he would miss him too don't you think?


...............................................................

LOVE LIFE 珍愛生命‧永不放棄 向全天下最偉大的母親致敬!

the missing kitty

I had all my Sunday planned out.

A lazy morning and cleaning the house and my room

Cooked some food and to pack lunch for Monday before get some work done

I was even pushing myself to finish the long over due Jacques Raymond dinner that we went 2 weeks ago

But All these got Interrupied badly when Muffie was miawing by the door when I came down stairs 

It was raining outside so I thought Muffie is being sensitive like he always does

Then I heard miawing rather clearly for a few times after Muffie settled down

When i opened the door, I realised there is a kitty standing on the tree outside

He eventually came down and rubbing my legs

He purrs non-stop and was just so affectionate

I took him in and gave him some food to which he ate them extremely quickly

Baby came later and said I should push the cat back out so he would find his way home

But the kitty was very hesitant to step outside and even after he came out,

he rushed back into the house.

I decided to keep him for the night. And Still deciding what to do.

The kitty is very clean, silky furs, clean ears and eyes. I can't help to think it was probably kept indoors so there was no collar. It is probably 6 months? seems quite skinny though. But not like those homeless animals skinny. I can't work out if it is a boy or girl. But I 'think' it is a boy.

The kitty seems very insecured and would need to be me or babe. (so very used with human) Purrs Non-Stop. I mean Non-stop. I put him at the guest bathroom downstairs with food and kitty litter. he would miaw every time I walk past and I would want to go in and pat/stroke him.

Poor darling. I know my bf says I should just let him outside because obviously he was kept in someone' home before.

But  it is at night and raining and cold so I think I made the right decision keeping him in.

I will figure out tomorrow... either putting him out tomorrow to see if he still comes back to my house, this means he has not where to go or he has forgotten where he lives. Then I will post papers with his photos on hopefully people can see. Or i can take him to the vet to check and make sure it is ok. I don't know about taking him to RSPCA because he needs so much attention and I don't want him just go there be another homeless cat waiting for someone to adopt... argh... 

Poor kitty... I hope you find your home soon. If you are homeless then I will find you a home. You are so Adorable.

Kitty purring right next to my feet. His nails haven't been cut and he kept on digging them to me. lols

 

So Cute. He insists on climbing onto my legs and purrs before finally falling asleep... 

Porcini Mushroom Risotto -- delizioso!!

Yes, contrary to many others might think, I can cook and it doesn't involve me burning the kitchen down "touch wood"

Actually I should rephrase to that I cook, not that I "can" cook.

These days as my parents are not in Melbourne, I have to look after my own meal situations

I do not deny I eat out alot and I like to eat out and try different places.

But sometimes you just want to come home for a warm comfy meal. 

In the last couple months other than dishes I already knew, I have tried potato & leek soup, mushroom soup, some others I do not remember and then this, the above, Porcini Mushroom Risotto with pancetta.

It all started with me craving The Italian at 101 Collins. I Love their porcini risotto. It is the best I have tasted anywhere. The strong flavour of porcini and moist risotto left me dreaming about this dish for Days after my first visit. So I decided to try my own.

I googled the receipe and adopted mostly from:http://www.abc.net.au/local/recipes/2008/06/13/2273702.htm from ABC. But I twisted a little. 

I am one of those person who loves read up alot of receipes for one dish before settling for The One. The One I think would taste the best and usually involves the most extensive process. Lucky for me this time I decided to cook after work on Friday so I could only quick check online before dashing to Shoppingtown. For my own reference I will write my recipe as per below, next time I just need to refer to my Own Blog. ha

PORCINI MUSHROOM RISOTTO

Serves: 5 - 6 (I ate them from Fri to Sun)

Ingredients:

* 200g Swiss flat mushrooms

* 200g Swiss brown mushrooms (I cannot usually find these from Coles/Safeway, I ended up buying all my stuff from this mini-supermarket next to Coles, seems to be more pricey but more mushroom choices)

* 20g dried procini ( this was a hard one as I had no idea where I could get these, managed to get the Last Pack from The Jones Grocer - love this shop Too Much btw. Definitely need to look out for them next time at Lygon St)

* 500g Arborio rice (should try carnaroli next time)

* 1 medium brown onion

* good squirt of garlic paste (being naturally lazy and hate how my hand smells afterwords, I buy the pre made mince)

* 1 Shallot 

* Lots of butter, maybe 150g?

* 400ml of chicken or vegetable stock

* salt & pepper

* olive oil

* some white wine (the drier the better)

Method:

1. Boil water and soak the porcini mushrooms in hot water (200ml) for at least 20mins. The water would have a lovely smell which can be used as part of the stock at cooking

2. Slice all mushrooms and dice all onions/shallot

3. In a Medium Sauce pan, with medium heat with olive oil and butter, cook onions/garlic paste/shallot until soften and onions becomes a little translucent

3. Then pour in all the rice, add more butter, ensuring all rice are coated with oil/butter before pouring the white wine in slowly

4. Once you can smell the wine flavour coming off, put in all the sliced mushrooms including the porcini that have been soaked in the hot water.

5. Start to pour in the stock little by little while stirring them constantly. You can alternate with the mushroom stock.

6. To be Honest I am still trying to work out how long it should really take but I guess it really depends on personal preference as I do not like my rice not cooked thoroughly, ie has the white uncooked bits in the middle. But I think for 500g rice, it would take about 30 to 45mins?

7. season with salt & pepper, and let it rest for 5 mins.

Serve with parmesan cheese. For the above, I decided to bake some pancetta bought from Jones the Grocer to make them crispy and add onto the rice. The Pancetta are so nice and fatty. Would be really tasty if broken into little pieces to eat with the risotto. I couldn't resist but eat them as soon the dish is done.


We cooked this on Friday night with lightly stir fried green beans as sides. It was so delicious. We were both Very Satisfied. I am reading up Bolognese sauce and very eager to try asap. I actually did this sauce before when I was making lasagne but I thought I would do a big batch and just defrost them during work day with vegies etc.


Had a pretty quiet weekend with alot of resting as someone is Sick and no doubt I probably would be the lucky one to get Sick very soon.... bummer!

Sunday night chilling with Muffie and my new throw bought from Costco. It is super comfy and Muffie would not stop purring while sitting on it! So cute. Time for bed, another week begins... so not motivated... :(