gypsy espresso

Gypsy Espresso has been opened on the site of Toby's Estate in Potts Point. Owner Mario has been roasting beans for years under the Toby's name but he now roasts his own blends onsite which makes this cafe an aromatic place to visit.

Mario and his crew pride themselves on roasting the finest quality beans and, in turn, producing exceptional coffee.

stacks on: revolver cafe

We met a dear friend for lunch in Annandale this week. She suggested a cafe close to her work - Revolver - at 291 Annandale street.

After 5 minutes the staff found the four of us a table. The most difficult thing about this place is choosing what you'll order! B and P are at the age when we need to order an extra dish (such a shame :)). We can no longer afford for them to eat what they want from our plates (because we don't end up with much). The kids were starving and ratty this day but we managed to hold it together until the meals arrived which were a:

Revolver veggie stack with  sweet potato, roast capsicum, zucchini, spiced eggplant, grilled haloumi & a mixed seed & rocket salad $15.50 (which was promptly un-stacked by little hands)

and,

Free range confit of duck on roast beetroot purée with green lentil, hazelnut & radicchio salad w a red wine vinaigrette $17.50

I like a good duck dish but it's not something I usually order. I am so pleased I did. The skin was crispy, light and caramelised and the meat was tender and melted in my mouth. The accompaniments were perfect and the prices of the meals very reasonable.

When my friend was renovating this year she feasted on the nine hour roasted lamb bruschetta with house made hummus fire roasted capsicum relish & almonds ($15.50). The young energy of the lamb gave her the energy to 'keep up the enthusiasm' that is synonymous with renovating!

Revolver is open 8-4 which is a shame because I'd make the trip for dinner with J. We'll just have to make an excuse for a lunch date sometime!

winning ticket: vietnam

My grandmother WON us a trip to Vietnam and we left very early Sunday morning. I'm not sure how much posting I'll be doing while we're travelling. My aim is to be in the moment as much as possible, tasting food, meeting people, documenting the trip with my new Nikon V1 and being together as a family.

I'll schedule a few posts so you'll have some reading over summer (winter in the northern hemisphere) but if I don't check-in I'd like to wish you all a safe and enjoyable holiday season.

Miss May Blossom

in search of soup: flat white

I went in search of chicken and lentil soup I had eaten twice a few years ago... but they no longer serve it. Damian (ex Moran's) and Justine Monley opened Flat White years ago and gave it up earlier this year to invest more time in their new venture, Madam Char Chars, a chicken shop with a Middle Eastern touch. I'm looking forward to trying it.

Chris still mans the coffee machine, fortunately!

Last time we visited Flat White was about 3.5 years ago when B was about 6 months old. We drove around until we found a car park, waited for a table and sat down to order. Our food arrived and at that instant I remembered I'd left veggies steaming on the hotplate at home for B's dinner!! J jumped up and drove home to rescue our apartment. The pot couldn't be salvaged but that was a minor sacrifice.

Flat White hasn't lost it's great coffee, great dishes and cakes but it has lost a staple from its menu - the chicken and lentil soup.

My moist blueberry, polenta and poppy seed cake hit the spot for a late morning tea.

I am not giving up on the soup. It may not feature on their menu anymore but I'll be cooking it in my own kitchen soon enough!

strawberry & mango pavlova

This was my first attempt at a pavlova and it was a success! I just can't believe that I used to buy those silly packets of meringue nests from the supermarket!

Friends helped us devour the pile of crunchy meringue filled with sticky goodness topped with perfectly ripened strawberries*, mango and freshly whipped cream and finely sliced Vietnamese mint.

Our guest, who isn't a fan of dessert, had seconds so that's an indication of how good it was!

Next time I'll make sure I have fresh passionfruit to drizzle over the top too.

Pavlova

(from Donna Hay's modern classics book 2)

4 eggs whites
1 cup caster sugar, sifted
3 teaspoons corn flour
1 teaspoon white vinegar

Preheat the oven to 150°c (300°f). Place the egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until soft peaks form. Gradually add the sugar, beating well until the mixture is glossy. Soft the corn flour over the egg white mixture and fold through the vinegar.**

Pile the meringue mixture into an 18cm (7 in) round on a baking tray lined with non-stick baking paper. Place in the oven, reduce the temperature to 120°c (250°f) and cook for 1 hour.

Turn the oven off and allow the meringue to cool in the oven. To serve, top with whipped cream and fresh fruit and serve immediately. Serves 6-8.


* I must smell strawberries before I buy them. They must look and smell ripe. Take them out of the fridge the night before to give them time to reach room temp. They will ripen further this way too.

** I've read that using a metal spoon to fold through the egg whites means thy don't lose their air.