Last Friday Night

Last Friday night I heard about an EOFY drinks night at Barista Haus in Rockdale. Usually they are just a 9-5 coffee-and-sandwiches place so this was a bit out of the ordinary, but it was FREE so naturally I rounded up the rest of the Rockdale crew (i.e. James and our friend Ben - hello if you're reading!) and headed out.

The lady hosting was really lovely and the drinks were really free (and as you can see, not el cheapo ones either). We also grabbed this delicious cheese plate for $20. They had a smaller one for ten bucks, but I was pretty starving and it was well worth it.

The ambience was a little lacking and it wasn't as busy as I had expected, perhaps because there was no sign outside so passers-by probably thought it was a private function. But it was still a pretty fun place to hang out and I think with dimmer lighting and louder music it would be a super fun little bar, I hope they'll keep doing things like this!

On Saturday morning James and I went to the Ramsgate Organic Foodies Market, which is always a treat.

At night I met Meg (hi Meg!) to eat way too many dumplings at Taste of Shanghai (thanks Brendan for the recommendation!) and watch The Fault In Our Stars.

I haven't decided how good it was yet - it was slightly unrealistic, but in the way that I imagined the world really was when I was a teenager, so given that it's for and about teenagers that could be a strength. What I can say for sure is that it is SUPER SAD. Everyone cried.

James and I met a couple of the boys at a serious board games shop called Good Game in Hurstville because they were having a big sale.

It's not my favourite place, but we availed ourselves of their free games library and gaming tables for a bit of Cards Against Humanity.

Afterwards we decided to grab a late lunch. The boys from Peacock Trattoria have opened up a new restaurant in Gymea, the Italian Stallion, so we were really keen to give it a try.

It's not exactly the same as Peacock's but I think if you liked one you'd like the other.

Especially if you're a cocktails enthusiast - these were great!

We started with a ham, mascarpone and mushroom pizza to share. 

Peacock's have the same thing without mushrooms and I love it, but this was even better. I think it had truffle oil too so definitely one for the mushroom lovers.

For our actual lunch we had these burgers:

I loved the pickles, and I liked how they served them and the onions on the side so I could add them to taste. I liked the orange cheese, and I liked the tomato relish for my fries. But overall, I wasn't wild about the burger. I consider myself a bit of a connoisseur of burgers these days, and this one just didn't quite do it for me.

The pizza and cocktails more than made up for it though, and the desserts (the one area where I think Peacock's struggles) sounded amazing, so I'm already looking forward to going back and trying one of the many other tempting menu options. 

How was everyone else's weekend?

Weekend Activities

Last weekend I went out with the girls (hello girls if you are reading!) on Friday night to Lobo Plantation. The drinks were great but it was really packed - luckily we had the sense to invite ourselves to join someone else's table. 

This beverage was called a Communist Sour and it was very nice indeed.

Afterwards we went to Barbershop. I had never been before and I can't say I feel like I've been missing out on much. It was a fun night though!

The next day James and I went to Xtract in Rockers for lunch. I had a smoked salmon omelette which was pretty nice but James won with this excellent "Lebanese Tapas".

I felt pretty sick so I spent the rest of the afternoon in bed but I dragged myself out for a birthday party. There was a giant outdoor movie screen and the backyard was full of blankets and chairs and decorated with lanterns and fairy lights. It was fantastic!

Happy birthday Steph! Thanks for having us and well done Ben and Momz on building the screen!

On Sunday James and I went to Foodies for this amazing Nutella shake.

This weekend we went to the Organic Foodies Market at Ramsgate Public School. Highly recommended.  Just look at this beautiful fresh produce:

We bought some! And some breakfast from the Fritter House.

The bacon was way overcooked and the tomato relish tasted like Maccas Secret Sauce but the fritters themselves were top notch and pretty reasonably priced.

But I think the highlight of the event was this stall:

It's just a shop of leopard print things! That's all they sold! Apart from (weirdly) ONE orange top.

I admired a clutch but it was eighty five dollars which is insane. Instead I bought myself a beautiful gingerbread biscuit from some nice girls running a Pretty Easter Things stall. 

It was $2.50.  That's more like it.

James went out at night so I had a hot date with Charcoal Kingdom. It was really tasty, especially that garlic sauce, but I'm not sure they gave me enough chips.

I guess you can't have everything.

Yesterday I went to Hurstville and got my hurr did. My hairdresser is called Michael and he is just about my favourite person in the world.  He's really fun and helpful and I never ever want to cry after I get home. AND he only charges twenty five bucks! He's at Eddie's Salon in Hurstville Westfield, just past the entrance with the Bubble Tea shop. (I know, but seriously trust me, you won't be sorry.)

Afterwards I did a little bit of shopping and tried on these sensational leopard print jeans. I didn't buy them, but I think I'll have to go back. I hope they don't sell out.

And if you're looking for some adequate groceries, look no further than this shop on Forest Rd:

As is our tradition, James and I had a date at night. We went to Sunny's - the seafood restaurant not the BBQ one - and had this big chilli mud crab. It was challenging but delicious.

I love weekends. Only three days until the next one!