Potager, Carool NSW

12/01/202113/01/2021

Potager is a delightful surprise hidden beyond the country suburb of Bilambil south of the Gold Coast.

Established in 2006 by Pete and Gareth with a grand vision to grow and source local food – served with exuberant intent. They nailed it!

Fast track to now and the vision lives on and is evident in every dish made and served. It’s a special part of the dream and the intent is certainly evident in the attention to detail, amazing menu and a relaxing venue.

Unfortunately one of the partners passed away in 2019 but everyone is happy and committed in his spirit.

On our visit we are met by a beautiful rustic home set amongst an enlivened field with a seductive edible garden.

The staff are all very competent and eager to say hello. The ethos of the restaurant/community is to support local including the staff.

The views over the valley are delightful and the wine list substantial.

We are with a few friends and cocktails are ordered.

For entree we share the fair game, wild venison carpaccio, pickled plum, mushroom, tarragon pesto, lemon myrtle cracker.

Wild venison carpaccio with pickled plum

My main course didn’t sound that much on the menu but was delicious with lots of subtle and Peruvian sudado de pescado(fish stew). Whilst the menu changes depending on what is in season and available the stew is always available. I will be going back for the fish stew for sure. Warming, nourishing and flavours full of the depth of the sea.

It is one of the dishes designed and kept as a tribute. I really rate the fish stew but would go so far as to recommend everything on the menu. My friends have the duck which melts in your mouth whilst my partner has local caught fish which was so well cooked.

What I love most about Potager is the local grown vegetables used with every dish. It is like a blessing from the planet to your plate.

Thank you so much guys, we will be back again soon,

Hartvest Newrybar, NSW

25/08/202025/08/2020

The paddock to plate, garden to plate philosophy of Harvest, saw it booked out for Oprah and her entourage in 2010 when she visited.

Since then, this once bakery, cafe has become a destination.

Now days the main highway bypasses the town and it’s probably best to put the address into your maps and understand you’ll be weaving a little bit through the country side before arriving.

You won’t be disappointed.

The township of Nearby is quiticential of most Australian towns in the northern rivers of New South Wales; a pub, a garage and a milk bar. Harvest has certainly put the town on the map and now the town boasts an art and homeware collective, an antique shop and a few other places to drift in and out of.

We didn’t make a booking (I strongly recommend you do) so we sat on the balcony. It was a rainy cold winter’s day but fortunately the heater on the deck and the food distracted from the cool.

We weren’t necessarily after a big long lunch, so settled on the carrots (grown on site) roasted in the oven with …

Totally delicious.

For main, I chose a burger which was OK. The produce was locally sourced but not abundant. I get it, it’s a fine dining restaruant.

My partner had the eye fillet which was also wonderful but served as it. You really need to order sides.

I was a little bit disappointed with the menu on this day but apparently it changes regularly depending on the seasonal foods and produce available.

To be fair we didn’t have a booking, the place was pumping with people streaming in regularly and was clearly very popular.

The gardens are uplifting and worth strolling through, as much of the product served inside is from their own garden. A fully functioning bakery is out the back and you can see the guys in action as well as having their own bee hives.

The importance of bees and pollination of crops a very topical conversation piece in the Northern Rivers. On this ocassion food was 4/5, service 5/5. WE will be back to see if we can give them the 10/10.

Bookings a must.

Bluesfest Byron Bay

01/06/201801/06/2018

The Byron Bay Blues Festival

AKA Bluesfest

It’s my “many-ieth” time to the Blues Festival experiencing the eclectic line up of blues and rhythm artists from around the world.

In the past I have seen James Brown, Elle King, The National and many amazing artists.

This year is also special but I have time on my hands and it is a whole different ball game.

With a 5 day pass and VIP pass you can really relax and not race from tent to tent trying to squeeze in as many artists as possible.

I’ve decided to camp – which is great. You meet fellow festival goers and can make new friendships quickly. The thing I really like about camping is the ability to bubble out from the festival madness and have reprieve.

The thing I don’t like about camping at the festival is that the days can start early if a baby is crying and the nights can go long if people decide to start a mini party. Both of which happened on the same night on my stay.

The toilet facilities are basic at Blues and it really makes you value the luxuries of a home shower.

The staff are really friendly at the festival although beaurocracy seems to have gone a bit mad with multiple people involved with the process to “manage” people to find a camp site. None of which is needed at other festivals.

Beer, wine and water ran out by early afternoon on Sunday which left a lot of people disgruntle this festival. I couldn’t understand why water had run out and how that could occur in 2018!

Alas fortunately for Blues Fest this year, the artists got the festival over the line. Seal, Melissa Etheridge, Sheryl Crowe, Rag Man, and Bones, Morcheeba, Prince’s back up band, John Butler Trio and more… made for another sensational year.

One day is fine, 2 days better and VIP a must.

You can grab tickets here.

Asia Joes Byron Bay

21/10/2017

There are so many awesome food choices in Byron Bay, don’t settle for any old slops!

IF you can find the alley way behind the Byron Hotel you will find a mecca of quick eats… and many serving alcohol so you can sit longer and take your time.

Look for the restaurant along for the LOVE frame to find Asia Joes.

Today we try Asia Joes.

It was a pretty simple menu with some good old traditional Asian dishes and enough for us to find something we liked.

The prices were really good and they don’t use MSG!

The service was great, food good and prepared with nice fresh ingredients! Rating 8/10.

Icebergs Bondi Beach

19/06/2017

Bondi Beach is a total iconic Australian land mark.

Even today, a gloomy wet day, the beach is magnificent.

Bondi has a reputation world wide as being that “typical Aussie beach”and it is… although it has soared a bit in hipster and wealth notoriety!

I have been going to Bondi for years and today, just having a few hours in Sydney, decide to treat myself to Icebergs Dining Room and Bar.

The dining area is above the famous swimming pool beneath.. and scopes inspiring views over Bondi. Just enough to draw breathe, feel a part of the scene and receive amazing aerials views of the surfers below.

I am sitting on my own on this day… and the service is wonderful.

I don’t hold back on my selection! Mainly because I have just been interviewed on national TV and feel I deserve a treat. And secondly because I know this restaurant is world famous for it’s hand-selected Australian seafood.

I have the oysters for entree…

Cerviche for second entree….

Market fish is snapper and is delightful!

I can thoroughly recommend the menu, the staff, the views, the food and the restaurant! I will be back.

Mt Warning Delights

14/08/201614/08/2016

Today was a magic day shared with close friends in a very spiritual part of Australia, Mt Warning.

Mount Warning — Mt Warning (Wollumbin)
in NSW

Mt Warning, also known as Mt Wollumbin is a step craggy mountain (actually the remnants of a volcano) that makes for a big day time climb.

The 4.5 km, one way walk, (9km return trip) takes on average 5 hours, giving you a 20 minute break up the top. You can of course do it quicker or longer, depending on your fitness.

I would say this walk requires moderate fitness and I don’t think it is for the feint hearted. The steep incline meanders through some lovely bush tracks, with the Tweed Valley dropping away below.

The height of the mountain in a bit over 1100 meters, and the last little bit is practically a rock climb straight up. There are chains to hang onto but it is loads of fun pulling yourself up, especially if you legs have given way!

The views from the top are spectacular, spanning from the Gold Coast hinterland to Byron Bay and Nimbin.

There is something very bonding about sharing the view with other people who have just survived the rock climb as well. Many kick back in the sun and enjoy a feed before heading back down.

For some silly reason I took a bottle of wine to be drunk at the top but there was no way known I was going to drink wine, in case I fell off the mountain, so it was carried all the way down undrunk.

At the base of Mount Warning are two options for eating, my favourite being Mavis’ s Kitchen.

Yummy beef cheeks — Beef Cheeks at Mavis’s Kitchen

It’s a well established restaurant with fantastic gardens and food. They grow a lot of their own produce in their beautiful garden. Today a couple catch a helicopter in, which adds to the surrealism and grandioseness of the place.

The sunlight in the area gives everything a luminescent glow, citrus greens and crisp blues. A perfect day with the perfect balance of options.

Oh for the record, I had the beef cheeks, on polenta and the Tyrell’s chardonnay. Devine!

The Best 24 hours visiting Fishhouse, Rainbow Bay & Kiva Spa

25/04/201625/04/2016

The last 24 hours have been superb. So relaxing, so decadent and wonderfully fun.

My friend came to stay with me last week and seeing as we have both been working a lot we decided to have a mini holiday.

We headed off for an amazing dinner at my GC fav: Fishhouse in Burleigh Heads. From the minute you enter the service and experience is everything you would hope for in a five star restaurant.

Bread made fresh, clean wines and an extensive list and the BEST seafood in town.

I settled on my favourite seafood, scallops, for entree and a fish I had never heard of for dinner. I will have to go back and write a full review as this doesn’t do it justice!

A lazy sleep in, then off to Rainbow Bay Surf Club for remarkable views and an excellent $10 lunch! I had sea trout, chips and salad and my friend has whiting, chips and salad. A great meal and worth it just for the views.

To finish off a magnificent short break, we head to the Kiva Spa in Mullumbimby.

Timid at first (neither of us had been there before) we pushed through our anxieties and were greeted by a romantic escape that felt like a week.

We both agreed our massages were the best – leaving us in a semi comatosed state, and then we drifted around the bath house, in and out of hot tubs, plunge pool, steam room and the magnificent fire sauna. I couldn’t take photos (cameras not allowed) but the memories you take from your trip are all that are needed.

We needed to “earth” ourselves before driving back to reality so headed to the Mullum pub. Or correctly the Middle Pub.

Middle Pub Mullum — Photos of early Mullumbimby

Established in 1904 the pub has a lot of character and interesting things to look at. Period photos of the last turn of the centre, beautiful stainless glass images and funky furniture. The wine went down even better.

Truly relaxing and a wonderful way to round of a min 24 hour holiday on the Gold Coast.

Five must-try restaurants globally

31/03/201602/04/2016

Restaurant eating can be an experience in itself.

Often I reflect fondly on town and place because of the restaurant experience.

Atmosphere, food, service and views are all aspects that go into making the restaurants below some of my favs world wide.

These are a few of the restaurants that ignite my taste buds and sensations :

La Rose Des Vents on Larvotto Beach, Monaco

La Rose Des Vents, Monaco

The great appeal of this restaurant for me is the fact it is on a beach in Monaco. It is accommodating (I have turned up straight from the beach) and or as glitzy as you want.

The food is delicious and I only have seafood when I go there. Terrains, kebabs, fresh seafood. It is all devine and delish! Check it out here.

2. Frogmore’s Creek, Tasmania, Australia

Set outside of Hobart in Tasmania on a vineyard is a wonderful restaurant called Frogmore’s. I have had the pleasure of eating there twice and each time has been mind blowing. This is a more extensive blog about it and their website here. Fly down to Hobart just for lunch!

3. Rae’s on Wategos, Byron Bay, Australia

Wategos Beach Break — Julian Rocks off Wategos

Overlooking arguably one of the best beaches in the world is Rae’s on Wategos.

It’s a perfect for a long lunch with a great conversationalist or friend. You will be served scrumptious delights, not overly large which is good, and fantastic wines.

4. The African Queen, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, France

The day we turned up here was a story in itself. Winding down the steep curved road cut into the French coast line, overlooking the vast ocean and cote’d azure we stumbled across The African Queen.

Chilled Champagne, delicate cerviche and the most amazing desserts, The African Queen could win alone on food. But it also has a magestic out look and relaxed atmosphere.

This definitely goes on one of my favorite restaurant’s list.

5. Chez Gado Gado, Bali, Indonesia

A simple, comfortable restaurant by the ocean in Seminyak. The food is great, abundant and refreshing breeze is worth traveling for. I have had a few meals at Chez Gado Gado and all have been worthy. If you go on a Friday or Saturday night you should book in advance.

Let me know your favourite restaurants in the comments and I will try to visit them 🙂

Elle King & The National at Byron Bay Bluesfest

26/03/201629/03/2016

Byron Bay Bluesfest 2016 is a BIG WOW!

What I love about the Byron Bay Bluesfest is random meetings, the incredible acts and the good vibes….

I’ve been an annual pilgrimmer for fifteen plus years.

Yesterday was fantastic.

For the first time I decided to camp.

While I do love camping and there are some great advantages to camping beside a festival, I think the key to making it work is to turn up with a few hours to spare.

Determined not to let stress get in the way of a good time, I slumberly pitched my tent and sipped some of the wine I had smuggled in (no glass aloud in the camp city)!

Off into fun Blues town.

The conversations in the queues are different and fun… a smorgasboard of random topics, different folk and no need to impress… my favorite thing.

The conversations are mostly around music, fashion and which band you are most looking forward to seeing.

A first time for me was watching the Torres Strait Islander Dance Tropee. The women were majestic and fluid, dancing and swaying in their sea grass skirts. The beautiful hum and smiles… it felt great!

Blues fest byron bay — Torres Strait Islander Dance Group at Byron Bay Blues Fest

The men were stronger, louder and impactful.

The stomping on the ground, the masculine energy and the reverberation inside my chest was good!

A dose of dancing man.

I wish I could experience more.

Bluesfest Elle King — Elle King rocks Byron Bay Bluesfest

I was keen to see Elle King.

She was amazing. She spoke more sense than any candidate currently running for the US presidency and spoke from the heart. Unimpeded – powerful and sincere.

Her gold tracksuit was an absolute winner.

After Elle was Grace Potter – a bit of a modern day Suzi Quatro. She rocked, the boys loved it and festival fever had hit.

Byron Bay bluesfest — The National rocking at Byron Bay Bluesfest

Later in the night, the big band name, The National, took down the tent (or lifted it off).

People had come just to the festival to see The National. A first for me, even though I had started listening to them a few weeks ago. Very good, very popular and a great live act.

Back to the earthen tent to collapse and drift away to the sweet smells of the grass beneath me.

Taronga Zoo

04/03/201606/03/2016

Taronga Zoo, Sydney!

What an incredible place and experience.

incredible Sydney for Nature and Bubbles — Quintessential Sydney

It was my birthday and I had been pondering the “ideal” birthday present.

I brainstormed fond memories from my childhood and then it hit me… Taronga Zoo.

I knew the perfect people to share it with.. my children.

SMH Nature and Bubbles — Photo shoot for Sydney Morning Herald

I made the booking last week and we flew down on Wednesday.

Co-incidentally, I was asked to do an interview for the Sydney Morning Herald on the Tuesday beforehand. On the Wednesday in Sydney we arranged to do the family photo shoot. It was the BEST birthday present.

opera house nature and bubbles — The iconic Sydney Opera House

After the photo shoot, we caught the ferry from Pier 2 at Circular Quay to Taronga zoo. We passed by some of Australia’s most iconic landmarks; The Opera House; Sydney Harbour Bridge and the incredible bays of the harbour.