Picnic.

I'm missing Sydney so much right now. I miss the food, the weather, and the lovely scenery. There is just so much great architecture (hello, Sydney Opera House) and the parks are just to die for.

If ever I migrate, it's to a place where there are gorgeous parks. I just adore parks! Beyond the grass and the breeze, it's the very FEELING of languorous laziness that so seduces me...

Anyway, on one particular day of my 12-day Oz trip, Chloe and I were exploring the Surry Hills neighborhood and deciding where to eat. We were thinking of going to one of the very tempting restaurants but ended up doing something entirely different-- a PICNIC!

It happened that we were browsing through and organic grocery and Chloe chanced upon a huge slab of SMOKED SALMON on sale!

!!!!!!!

Vicky Clemente's MAMA'S TABLE, Baguio

Chef Vicky Clemente was a banker who, at 50, decided to follow her true passion (la vie culinaire-- did I just murder the language?) and took up the appropriate cooking classes at some fancy shmancy French culinary institute abroad. She now does private degustations for guests in her own beautiful home. I'm not the type to be impressed by houses (it's a rare occasion that I visit a house or hotel that leaves me truly awestruck) but I was definitely impressed by hers! It had so much PERSONALITY in it, and it evoked a lazy, eccentric, old-rich feeling. It was EXTREMELY high-ceilinged with ENORMOUS windows. The best part was the sofas-- print on print on print! Not to mention they were on Indian rugs. It is one of the most beautiful houses I've ever been to.

My beloved sofas

There was also a fireplace, and a pretty tree with tinsel on it (reminded me of my grandmother, who thoroughly exalted the merits of tinsel), and a beautiful garden outside, absolutely full of hydrangeas and other darling flowers...

I have a thing for ginger

Anybody who knows me quite well would know that I have a thing for GINGER. I reckon ginger is very much underrated, much like bread. Did you know that you could make Brown Bread Ice Cream? Well, more on that next time! I must mention that Brasserie Bread makes fantastic bread.

As you probably may know, I am head over heels in love with the Bourke Street Bakery. Each and every time that I'm there, they usually have the Raspberry Brulee Tart opposed to the ginger one. I've got nothing against raspberries, I actually love them, just not as much as ginger. Given that thought, it would be nice if there were a raspberry-ginger brulee tart.

Who could possibly turn down a beauty like this?

The Ginger Brulee Tart looked fabulous to say the least. Once I dove in, the custard was silky smooth with the slightest hint of the gingery goodness that wasn't overpowering in any case. There wasn't that immense heat that a lot of people associate with ginger, but in it's place, there was a sweet, sweet warmth that just hit the right notes. And who could perhaps neglect the crisp caramelized brown sugar on top? This treat is certainly blissful.

Other gingery things that I adore include stem ginger cookies, the gingerbread man, ginger chocolate (Green & Black's FTW), shortbreads, ginger sesame sauce- the list goes on and on.

Bourke Street Bakery
633 Bourke St
Surry Hills 2010 NSW