Grounds of Alexandria, Alexandria

This place has been getting a lot of attention lately. I'm not 100% sure, but, I think they do roast their own beans in store. Well, this was the stop right after my friends and I hammered the 2 hour marketing exam. 4 essays, 2 hours, NOT enough time. My brain fully melted after. 

They've got this charming yard outside. But then, everybody is cooped up and dining indoors.

This table of pastries would greet you once you step into the cafe.

Bread Lately & A Smart Sandwich

Lately, I've been absolutely loving my BREAD even more than usual.

Few days ago, my friends and I rocked up to Bourke Street Bakery right after our final FINAL exam. 

here & here for other Bourke Street posts

Hungry as I could possibly be (because I skipped lunch) I got the pork and fennel sausage roll.

Only because they ran out of the lamb and harissa one which was my absolute fave.

It was okay, we were in the Alexandria one which didn't prove to be as epic as the original in Surry Hills.

Also, they were closing for the day, and we got free loaves of bread. 

The boys all got baguettes which we picked at indefinitely when we were in the car.

It was that tasty.

Fennel, raisin, and cherry sourdough.

And I had a fennel, raisin, and cherry sourdough to bring home.

I wouldn't actually buy that loaf cause it's not my sort of thing.

But I've got to admit it was different and quite tasty.

And it went down really well.

Fantastic Coffee at Le Monde, Surry Hills

I've got quite the crazy schedule this semester. There's 9-7 Wednesdays. I find it totally repulsive especially since my class the next day starts at 9! But anyway, I've got this 2 hour break in between classes, and of course from all the design crit and stress, my friends and I want- more than anything- to slip away and relax. One of my friends, who happens to be a barista suggested this lovely place on Foveaux.

Oh BTW, it's one of the BEST places for coffee in Sydney.

interiors.

There's the special board with all the lovely sounding things on it. 

'

The cococoffee station.

Kinda Lazy Sunday Pick Me Up

So, any clue?

Sometimes, life can prove to be very tricky. 

Sometimes, I have a hard time falling asleep. 

Sometimes, I lay in bed for 3 hours and I still can't sleep. 

Sometimes, at 2:27am I decide to make french toast with maple syrup.*

Sometimes, church could be pretty BORING and you find yourself on the verge of falling asleep.

Sometimes, all you need is a good pick me up to make the day all better.

This is what prep looked like.

This brings me to My Kinda Lazy Sunday Pick Me Up, it might not be the BEST name, but boy, I'm tired. As of now, I've devoured half of it and eager to move on to the next half. But since I'm so in love and caught up with it, I might as well right about it now. 

Pret-A-Manger

There are THREE things you must do when in Hong Kong. 

Number one: Eat at Ocean Empire (click HERE!)

Number two: Eat a true blue HK egg tart, with fresh orange juice (click HERE!)

Number three: Eat at the Brit sandwich franchise, PRET-A-MANGER. 

They have the best. Sandwiches. Ever.

Not to mention they have extremely wonderful YOGURT!!!

Yogurt cup with honey, bananas, and granola

 German Meatball wrap: meatball, Emmenthal, onion, oregano, chili tomato sauce

My Steak Sandwich

So, I'm writing a list of things that I have to do before Friday. It's a heck of a long list, but hey, whatever, I love making lists. It's my thing, you know? I can make lists probably out of anything, I'm not kidding, mind you. I even make lists on my iPod when I'm on the bus. It sounds a little far fetched- the way I'm obsessive compulsive when it comes to these sorts of things! I even have a particular notepad for it. And a notebook for each and every other thing.* One of the things on my list at the moment involves drawing spaceships and space stations.** SIGH.

But there are days that I don't need to make lists, you know? It's free flowing cause I'll only have one or two items on my plate. It's not fiddly or hurried, it's relaxed. It's fun to have those sort of slow days every now and again- which brings me to My Steak Sandwich. 

I came up with My Steak Sandwich on a slow day. I went downstairs to make lunch, I was planning to have a plain salmon sandwich. But then I saw last night's leftover steak sitting on the counter. I could only swear that it was calling my name. Really. So with a little bit of thinking, I came up with My Steak Sandwich.

Merry Little Simple Lunch

WHY?
It's always the question.

Hocus Pocus, Focus! If only it was easier said than done. I find my thoughts drifting far far away these days. That's why I haven't been actively posting. It's too hard to find the concentration. If you knew what was going on, you'd undoubtedly understand. I'm losing my balance and I'm so eager to get it back.

So far, I've been eating mindlessly but thank God I haven't gained a pound, in fact, I've lost two or three. I've messed up a project or two. I've cried one, twice, or thrice. I haven't cleaned my room.* I haven't folded my clothes from the laundry. I cram all my assignments up until the last minute. I listen to techno music.**

Fingers crossed things will get better, and I'll get back to my rhythm. Enough about me, and more about food- there's absolutely no better way to distract myself.

See the wholegrain mustard peeping out?
Since I've discovered wholegrain mustard,
I've never looked back. 

Agenda: Lunch.
Solution: Vietnamese bun with chicken breast, lettuce, wholegrain mustard, and vintage cheddar cheese.
Highlight: Toasted crunchy hot bun & papaya.

Cafe by the Ruins, Baguio, AGAIN :)

My mom and I went to Baguio last weekend to attend a close family friend's engagement. We also had to fulfill some very important business: eat at Cafe by the Ruins!!!

Since I only had my sad Cybershot camera with me the last time I was at Cafe by the Ruins, this time, I fully took advantage of my new s95. Which is like, only the BEST, most value-for-money camera the world has ever seen. Ever. It's portable, light, easy to use (virtually idiot-proof), takes great photos, and has a long camera life. I am in love with it.

Enjoy the photos! :)

So this is the entrance....

Mr. Jones, Greenbelt 5

OLD SCHOOL DINER.

Wouldn't you agree that it's one of those classy generic names?

The concept of this 1960's (but a tad futuristic) diner blew us away. We thought it was inspired. The names of the dishes were really creative too.

A serving of Tater Tots- Split.
3 Kinds.
Broccoli& Cheddar
Jamon Serrano& Brie
Gorgonzola and Walnut
with Jalapeno Cheddar Dip and Chives and Sour Cream.

See what I mean by it's all potato?

I always tend to associate Tater Tots with Domino's cause that's what I loved ordering when I was a kid. Times have changed, and the folks at Mr. Jones reinvented it. They called it- Tater Tots 3000 to the Max! It's a very playful and childish. They were pillows of hash brown with a touch of cheese. Not quite what we were expecting after reading the palatable description on the menu. Each Tater Tot was different from each other but hardly distinguishable cause the majority of it was POTATO! Thumbs down.