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.

Balboa Italian, Palm Beach

25/08/202025/08/2020

You know when you hear mixed revues about a restaurant, rather than inspire it tends to make you pause to race there? This was my response to Balboa. A silly trap that I have fallen into before which only has lead to denial of a wonderful Italian restaurant boasting very good food.

The purpose built Balboa Italian situated on the Gold Coast Highway in Palm Beach opened only a few years ago.

Sporting a healthy clientele and return customers because of their pizzas, (they look amazing), the pasta (apparently the gnocchi is to die for) and the al la carte.

I was super impressed by the table service which in a country like Australia is often lacking.

We order an Italian chardonnay – I’m not sure that is was a true chardonnay but a delicate light white, more like a chablis from France. Perfect for our meal.

Scallops for entree which were delicious, light and tasty.

The calamari salad also delicious and could be a meal in its own right. Light, tasty healthy.

For mains we share the lamb shoulder which is delicately served on a bed of puree, beans and tomatoes.

We accompany this with the house made potato chips and aolii and broccolini.

The cocktails are wonderful and my partner orders an old fashion which is served with the smoke trapped inside the glass.

I can highly recommend it. Service 5/5, food 5/5 overall 10/10.

Bookings are a must.

Poke Poke Mermaid Beach

24/02/201824/02/2018

At long last an Aussie match for the Poke Poke bar in Canggu. It’s called Okey Dokey time for Poke.

Opened us recently by the owners of the funky Mexican eatery, Bonita Bonita, is Mermaid Beach’s very own Poke Poke cafe.

The poke poke concept is one adopted from Hawaii. Big bowls, typically a shelled coconut, is filled with fresh salad delights with add-ons. Such as sushimi tuna, salmon, chicken, endamame, sea weed, nuts, seeds, condiments of all sorts.

It’s one of those places though where you find a favourite style and stick with it for life.

I found my fav poke on the first visit. It is called Tuna Me On. Sashimi grade tuna w soy & sesame, avocado, crispy shallots, pickled cabbage, edamame, onion & wasabi mayo on brown rice.

The variety of food is good. They even offer curries, vegetarian dishes and sides.

The side of endamame and pee dip with wonton crackers, was humongous and scrummy.

They are licensed as well, so a cheeky cocktail with lunch is very doable! My fav type of eatery…

Go to the beach down the road, have a swim or surf, slide back for a healthy feed and feel pumped and healthy.

I will go going A LOT more!

The Roman Forum

01/07/2017

The grandiose centre of the Roman Empire stems from the Roman Forum.

Located in central Roma, this is a must see place when in Roma.

I didn’t have time to fully explore the space (it was closing as I arrived) but I got a fantastic insight to the sophistication of the Roman Civilisation from the hill surrounding the Forum, known as Palatine Hill.

The monuments still standing are incredible!

Built nearly 2000 years ago in Caesar’s rein the buildings give a great insight to the confidence this empire had.

Not only confidence but the pioneers of architecture.

The columns, the arches, and layout still being used by many engineers today.

I am stunned at the incredible details and stories scribed on the great arches.

On Palatine Hill is a great art gallery and many water falls and sculptures.

There is something very special here… make sure you put it on your map. Even if to have a red vino on Palatine Hill watching the sun set over Roma. You can do night tours here which I imagine would be spectacular. Check out more here.

Labak River Hotel Ubud

09/09/2016

Finding the perfect place for a retreat is tricky.

Somewhere secluded but close to town. Somewhere with good clean facilities (especially air conditioning) but not at a crazy price. And somewhere that has enclaves for people to escape to and do some personal reflection and growth but it safe and contained. YES! It’s very tricky and until you hold your retreat, you are still not 100% it is right.

This retreat in Ubud, Bali, I chose the Labak River Hotel.

It’s located on the out skirts of Ubud but not a long way out like many others. You can walk to town in 15 minutes past the monkey forest, or jump on a scooter and be there in five minutes.

The hotel is spacious but has many intimate spots to hold small groups and for people to relax and recline.

All the bedrooms were beautiful and provided the guest with their own veranda and big chair to chill out in. I loved my bed!

A river runs behind the hotel and provides a lovely gurgling back ground sound. The hotel does face another hotel on the other side of the river, yet it is far enough away that no privacy is forfeited.

Beside the hotel is Ubud’s newest yoga facility, Ubud Yoga Centre, which is beautiful and offering great food with views.

The massages on offer are excellent and I had the Balinese Flower Bath 90 minute ritual. Absolutely therapeutic and relaxing. I highly recommend it.

The hotel has a few bar areas and the staff are friendly and helpful.

You can tell they want your stay to be special.

I will be holding my next retreat there in November 2016. Check out the retreat deets here.

Cooking Class Ubud, Bali

09/09/201609/09/2016

Any opportunity to learn new cooking styles (and get to eat the produce) is a big green light for me so I was keen to get involved at Ketut’s Bali Cooking School.

I actually chose this cooking school off the internet but was not disappointed.

We were collected from our hotel then taken around the food markets – the ones the locals go to for produce. It was really good travelling around with Made. His funny sense of humour and wicked laugh had me smiling from ear to ear.

After our walk through the markets, I felt I knew a whole lot more about a subject I am passionate about, food and nourishment.

Made taught us about different foods, how they are grown, what they are used for and more. It was like a short cultural tour.

Back into the airconditioned van we headed out to the cooking school. It was a short drive outside Ubud, which was really nice. Set in a rice field, the atmosphere was relaxed, open and cool. We all had our chef’s apron, we prepared and made 7 dishes.

There were a few people present but plenty of stove tops and lots of helping hands that cleaned dishes so that things never back logged and flowed really well.

Made explained all the spices and bases to be used in traditional Balinese dishes which we proceeded to make.

It was really good, efficient, funny and comfortable. Much better than what I was expecting. Check out the menu that you cook here.

After we cooked for a few hours, we sat down to a banquet. To come on a retreat with me to Ubud, click here.

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!

Danny’s best priced buffet Coolangatta Tweed

25/04/2016

Not being a big fan of buffets, I went to Danny’s Family Buffet as surprise for the children and with no real expectation.

I was pleasantly surprised!

Tweek cooly golf course — Roses on the Golf Course at Tweed-Cooly

A family run business this restaurant is a land mark on the Cooly-Tweed boundary. Located inside the club house at Tweed Heads the open aired restaurant doesn’t try to be a five star buffet but definitely dominates the four star territory.

A great variety of foods are available and you can cook have your own fillet of fish cooked for you upon request. We had the choice between bass, flat head or calamari. Roasts, hot meats, chinese favourites, about fifteen different salads and more. The best for me was actually eating gluten and dairy, which I hadn’t done for a very long time.

Danny's Buffet — yummy chinese at Danny’s Buffet Restaurant

My favourite dish was actually the plump home made spring rolls. Juicy on the inside, crunchy on the outside and loads of filling. They were the best spring rolls I have had in years.

All the other traditional Chinese favorites featured such as sesame prawn toast, dim sims and chicken and egg soup. All delicious.

The kids had a ball – I switched off my strict mummy hat and let them feast for the last time on their school holidays. Approximately seven plates along each – I was wondering how they physically don’t pop.

The prices are crazy cheap for what you get. Check the pricing out here.