Palace Electric cinema

——-28/01/2013——-

I was super keen to check out the Palace Electric cinema in the new Nishi Precinct and there was no better time to go when it was the long weekend, raining outside and the seats have barely been sat on.  What made my ears perk up during their radio ad was when they were boasting their olive oil cooked popcorn. 

Two adult tickets to Life of Pi (2D) $37.00 + $2.00 booking fee

This popcorn and drink combo with a boysenberry choc top was $16.00. I found the popcorn was saltier than most and very addictive.

Funky looking interior after passing the usher, they apparently have 8 cinemas here.

Another bar offering (expensive) snacks, wine, beer, tea and coffee.

Cinema 3– I thought it was odd that there is only one entrance down a row of seats. This wasn’t a particularly large cinema, I wonder what the others look like hmmmm… (p.s. there were still some seats behind me in this shot and a big pillar to the right).

I thought it was odd that the drink holders were below the flat platform and really close to the ground.

More expensive than other cinemas, very limited cinema times and not amazingly comfortable chairs. Maybe when they start to screen more exclusive movies will I be tempted to come here again.

The car parking on the street was limited so we went to the underground Wilson car park. Rates were expensive but luckily Palace Electric patrons can get their car parking ticket validated at the counter to receive 50% off rates.

****Oooh a friend just told me about a current Frankie offer that allows people 1 free year of movie membership.

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Frankie

Receive a free one year Movie Club Membership!*

The Palace Movie Club Membership allows you to save on every session, every day.

Enter the Promo Code “FRANKIE” and you will receive a COMPLIMENTARY 1 Year Palace Cinemas Movie Club Membership (valued at $19!) and the following benefits:

• $13.50 tickets for you and a guest all year round.
• An ‘Admit One’ complimentary pass upon joining.
• A birthday gift of an ‘Admit One’ complimentary pass.
• Invitations to exclusive Movie Club screenings and events featuring previews of the most eagerly awaited films (for this benefit you must provide us with your email address).
• Priority access to Q & A screenings and previews introduced by the stars or makers of the film before tickets go on sale to the public.

To redeem this offer, click on the link below:

http://www.palaceshop.com.au/frankie-movie-club/

*Offer expires 31st March 2013

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Venue:  Palace Electric Cinema 

Address: New Acton Nishi, 2 Phillip Law Street (end of Marcus Clarke St), Canberra

Phone: (02) 6222 4900

Website: http://www.palacecinemas.com.au/

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I saw these and thought of you Mellie! #food #foodies #foodblog #canberra #vegan #icecream #dessert

Singapore Series- chocolate buffet

This is more of a food porn post. Nothing much to say but yum! They had such gorgeous presentation at this all you can eat chocolate buffet, with a personal chef to make hot chocolate doughnuts on order included! Needless to say that towards the end, the chocolate became overwhelming and the fruit was a refreshing change.

Venue: The Club at Marina Bay Sands (top floor overlooking their infinity pool and the city)

Price: $38 pp (SGD)

Operating hours: daily 8pm – 12am

 

Before I pop them into my mouth I admire their little faces #food #foodies #foodblog #chocolate #snack

Singapore Series- Chilli crab

There’s not much I can tell you about this post. I’m not sure where we were (I think the restaurant is called Ponggol Seafood) and I definitely didn’t order. All I can say was that everything was delicious and fresh (especially the seafood) but the highlights for me were definitely the chilli crab with mantou (fried bread that was crispy and sweet on the outside and baby soft on the inside) and the buttered lobster *drool*.

Tiny little baby squid fried to a crisp with vegetables

Prawns with stir fried hokkien noodles

Sticky sweet pork ribs

Whole chicken in a salty broth with goji berries

Fresh prawns in a soup

Buttered lobster – this is so good it should be illegal

Chilli mud crab

Fried mantou

 This is the way we dip the mantou  

Some close ups.

Clockwise- amazing meat from the buttered lobster, tiny squid, plate of buttered lobster and the fresh prawn just caught from a prawn pool just outside the restaurant.

You must definitely try the seafood while you’re in Singapore!

Twinkle twinkle little star #food #foodies #foodblog #chocolate #snack

Green and Gold

What is more patriotic than green and gold and especially with the addition of BACON! I’ve been having cravings for zucchini slice and I thought I’d make it for a BBQ I was going to. A few years ago, I grew so many zucchinis I didn’t know what to do with them. I fried them, grated them into patties, made zucchini balls and I also made a lot of zucchini slice. It’s a very popular recipe and everyone I know uses the same one. Here it is for you guys:

Ingredients

• 5 eggs
• 150g (1 cup) self-raising flour, sifted
• 375g zucchini, grated
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 200g rind less bacon, chopped
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 60ml (1/4 cup) vegetable oil

Method

Step 1

Preheat oven to 170°C. Grease and line a 30 x 20cm lamington pan.

Step 2

Beat the eggs in a large bowl until combined. Add the flour and beat until smooth, then add zucchini, onion, bacon, cheese and oil and stir to combine. Pour into the prepared pan and bake in oven for 30 minutes or until cooked through.

recipe from taste.com.au

Bowral get away- Biota

——-25/11/2012——-

I have been to Biota a few times, creating special memories every time I go and this was no exception. I’ve never had their market Sunday meals and it turns out it is unlike anything I’ve had before. 

Celebration Sunday 25th November ($55.00 pp)

Bellini with quince juice.

to start~ Such simple ingredients but an effective use of flavour. They had such big portions, it took a long time to finish it all between the two of us.

Citrus cured trout and orange. 

Vine tomato with percora curd and basil.

Biota croquettes, serrano and rye plate. Such fabulous croquettes!

Vegan options: spring salad with asparagus and vine tomato with basil and balsamic vinegar.

the mains~

Vegan option: I’m not quite sure what was on the plate but my friend enjoyed her meal.

Potato gratin with garden herb and onion. The potato gratin was so amazing, crunchy and cheesy.

Heirloom carrot salad with yoghurt, cumin and olive oil. 

Roast redleaf farm suckling pig with apple sauce. The skin was very crispy but I found parts of the thick cut of pork were a little dry. Nothing a little potato didn’t fix though.

to finish~

Stonefruit trifle with quince gelee, vanilla creme and passion fruit meringue. A refreshing, not too sweet way to finish the meal.

Vegan option–

Definitely a different experience to the norm at Biota. A much more casual atmosphere leaning towards share plates and breaking bread with friends.

Bowral get away- Onesta Cucina

——-24/11/2012——-

I have been wanting to try Onesta Cucina every time I come to Bowral but this time we finally got it (and it was open!). We were having a little celebration so I was hoping that the food was delicious and memorable.

Complimentary bread- very delicious olive oil.

Vegan pasta – with garlic, chilli and olive oil. Not overly oily and my friend enjoyed her meal.

House made potato gnocchi with braised duck ragu ($29.00). Such wonderful light parcels of gnocchi (oh what a difference a good gnocchi makes!). The meat was really tender but I couldn’t tell straight away that it was duck.

Crumbed pork loin with proscuitto, asiago and peperonata ($33.00). We had forgotten that the pork was stuffed so it was a pleasant surprise. Thick pork usually dry but this was really moist and flavoursome.

Sides~

Rosemary and garlic potatoes with sea salt ($9.50). Delicious potato morsels, it seems like an easy concept but they were so addictive.

We were so impressed with our meals we thought that their desserts would just be a good.

Dessert~

Selection of ice-creams blood orange and raspberry sorbet ($13.50). I found a bit of plastic from a container in my sorbet, but even if I didn’t I wasn’t overly impressed by the flavours.

Individual Banoffee pie with salted caramel, banana and vanilla bean cream ($13.50). After this afternoon’s dessert at Centennial Vineyards this was definitely average by comparison. I found it too overwhelmingly sweet and I couldn’t finish it.

I really loved their pasta and mains and wished that I had tried their entrees, next time if I do get a dessert it won’t be a repeat of the ones above. The staff were attentive and meals came out promptly, it was a lovely place for dinner.

Venue: Onesta Cucina

Address: 5 Boolwey St, Bowral, NSW

Phone: (02) 4861 6620

I went to check out Ricetta on the weekend hoping to cure a cannoli craving I’ve been having but alas they didn’t make any on the day I went. When I’m not full from brunch I would like to come back and try out their pizza range and bread selection.

Venue: Ricetta

Address: Shop 13-14 M Centre, Palmerston Lane, Manuka ACT 2603

Phone: (02) 6295 2778

Website: http://www.ricetta.com.au

A little slice of …

——-18/01/2013——-

I wouldn’t usually post something that was so horrible, but I had to say something since I paid $9.50 (!?) for this slice of white chocolate and raspberry cheesecake from My Cafe in Manuka. The base tasted stale, the texture of cheesecake was very ‘stiff’ and gelatinous and I couldn’t taste white chocolate at all. I was so shocked when I found out how much it was that I had mention something to the staff but the girl at the counter didn’t really seem to care.

What name does oneself go by?

Little miss om nom noms. Yourself?

China plate

——-18/01/2013——-

I found myself in Kingston again just after leaving Bodega de Pintxos a little over 24 hours ago. This time I was headed to China Plate. I know I’ve eaten at China Plate before when it was in civic (where Soju girl is now) and I remember liking the personalised chopsticks and cover, but I don’t recall much about the food.

New location, new slate I say. Let’s eat!

Asian bites~

Shanghai and shantung dumplings ($6.00, 3 pcs). Oh dumplings how I love thee. Both steamed and fried were really great, I would have ordered more if they weren’t so expensive!

Beijing duck pancakes ($9.00, 2 pcs). They use a thicker cut of juicy duck which made these pancakes so good.

Mains~

Beef ribs in honey pepper – stir fried ribs with a touch of honey and pepper ($22.00). A lovely balance between sweet and pepper on succulent meat but it had a lot of bones though.

When we couldn’t decide on a second dish, the manager was very helpful on suggestions. I’m not sure what this dish was called, she just asked if we like prawns and how hot do we like our food. It wasn’t too spicy and the prawns were big and juicy.

Undeniably delicious food but I thought it was a bit pricey for the small portions (it turned out to be $40 pp food plus sodas). As delicious as the dumplings were not even the world’s best dumplings (unmistakably Din Tai Fung) are that expensive. I would love to come back and try more dishes, but don’t come here expecting a cheap Chinese meal.

Venue: China Plate

Address: 11 Kennedy St, Kingston, ACT 2604

Phone: (02) 6260 7555

Any recommendations on Gluten Free close to civic?

Most restaurants offer gluten free options now but there’s a gluten free bakery in Dickson and Pearce called Deeks bakery.

There was supposed to be a cute gluten free cafe opening in the Gold Creek Village area called Mornings in Paris, but I haven’t seen anything yet. I hope that helps.

Nothing to do in this heat but eat watermelon. #food #foodies #foodblog #watermelon #fruit #canberra