4Fourteen

That rare moment when you find parking in the city right in front of your restaurant was welcomed by hubby and I this afternoon. It was 2pm, we had hardly eaten, so the last thing we wanted was to trawl through Surry Hills looking for a place to park. Today was not going to be one of those days. 

Enter 4Fourteen, a bustling restaurant in Surry Hills headed by Colin Fassnidge and Carla Jones. Even with an empty stomach, I was instantly impressed by this chandelier and the rustic design of the restaurant.

Sunday conversations between family, lovers and friends. 

The open bar smack bang in the middle...

 

... but I opted for my usual- soy latte.

 

 An amazing piece of art on top of an amazing piece of art!

4Fourteen: ‘Chicken ‘n Dip’
Chicken, Parfait, Apple Chutney, Tortilla

14

Hubby and I never ever say no to Pâté. In any shape, or form. Today we were extremely impressed by this version- pâté and chicken. Hubby described it as "honest". He didn't lie. 

4Fourteen: Grilled Rodriguez Chorizo with Lemon
8 each

If there's one thing I usually don't order from a menu, chorizo would be it. I find it best eaten in simplicity- fried or grilled. And that's how most restaurants serve it- only they like to charge a ridiculous amount for it. For a dish that lacks creativity, I usually pass. Until I had the most amazing chorizo and scallops at a restaurant in Berry a few months back. I don't lie when I say the chorizos were so good that they overshadowed the scallops. Today, at 4Fourteen, I was also impressed.

4Fourteen: Crab Roll, Spiced Avocado Puree 12 each

I would pass three pork rolls for one of these. 

And I love pork rolls.

4Fourteen: Seared Bonito
Ginger Beer Jelly, Apple
19

We were going to go for the fish fingers, but the waiter recommended this instead. It was refreshing and reminded me of summer.

4Fourteen: Roast Pork
Cauliflower, Cavolo Nero, Prunes
35

Their famous suckling pig special had run out for the day, so we decided to go for the next best thing. Everything about this dish worked for me- from the cauliflower to the sauce. As for the pork, well, it was soft and succulent. Pretty much perfect. 

It was one of those dishes where I had to lie and tell the hubby "I've had it enough, you eat it". 

It was definitely a perfect Sunday. 

4Fourteen: Rhubarb Ripple Rice Pudding
Passion fruit Curd and Pistachios
14

I ordered dessert and my breakfast arrived. If you're a fan of rice pudding, go for it. On inspection of the dessert menu I saw "passion fruit" and ignored everything else. My bad, because I did not enjoy it. I understand the intention here- to create a seasonal dessert menu. What I don't understand is how I opted for this rather than the "Bounty" (a deconstruction of the famous chocolate bar). 

To give me an excuse to visit 4Fourteen again, perhaps?

WHAT I WORE:

I had another rare moment today- dressing casual. No thought process involved, just went into my wardrobe and picked this out. Boring. But that's how I was feeling.

Outfit Edit: Knit by Helmut Lang; Jeans by Cheap Monday; Shoes by Tony Bianco & Clutch by Sass & Bide.

4Fourteen Restaurant Information: 

Tuesday- Saturday 

Lunch from Noon till 3pm 

Tuesday-Saturday

Dinner from 6pm 

Sunday

Lunch noon till 4pm

Review from Terry Durack: 

http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/restaurants-and-bars/restaurant-review-4fourteen-20120519-1ywwu.html

What I Wore

I am a massive fan of leggings.

I even have a "leggings section" in my walk-in.

These ones from American Apparel fit like a glove and make me feel like Cat Woman.

My husband loathes them. 

But there was no way on earth I was going to take them off (took forever to get on!).

Outfit Edit: Top by Manning Cartell; Leggings by American Apparel & Suede Boots by Rubi.

Because the leggings are so out there, I toned the look down with minimal jewellery, simple shoes and a white top.

whoYen
xox

Greek food @ The Apollo

Brunch @ The Apollo in Pictures

Dining for me is as much about the food as it is the service and interior. When I first step in to a restaurant or cafe, the first thing I like to do is take a look around. I like to see personality, something that defines the restaurant, the owners and the food. It becomes very clear when a space has been given no thought or love. The Apollo, a Greek restaurant in Potts Point, does not fall into this category. 

It was edgy, contemporary and somewhat masculine- a different approach to design that is not usual of many Greek restaurants that I have visited (and I love them too). There was still something nostalgic about it though, like you've stepped back in time. The rendered walls gave it a touch of history, yet ironically, created a contemporary feel to the entire restaurant. And look here at this gorgeous arched window- absolutely LOVE.

MOUSSAKA PORK CABBAGE 16

Moussaka has got to be one of my favourite Greek dishes. It usually looks like lasagna, only it taste a million times better. The moussaka I order from a menu can never compete with the home-made ones that my Greek BFF occasionally whips up, but this one at The Apollo was refreshing on the palette with its inclusion of cabbage. A great way to introduce you to moussaka if you've never had it before, but do remember, this isn't traditional in any way.

OVEN BAKED LAMB SHOULDER LEMON
GREEK YOGHURT 38/80 (WHOLE)

Greek people know how to cook their lamb. Sometimes when I order lamb, or even when I cook it, there is a smell that emanates that I can not stomach. It's happened on a few occasions, some of them, believe it or not, at reputable restaurants. Never at a Greek restaurant. Ever. 

Of course, eating lamb without squeezing lemon on top is criminal. With tomato or BBQ sauce should be banned.

TARAMASALATA MULLET ROE DIP 12

Terry Durack of  The Sydney Morning Herald in his review of the restaurant (see link below) believed this was the go-to-dish. I ordered it. I don't agree. For $12, you should decide for yourself.

WILD WEED AND CHEESE PIE 18

Yum (husband not a fan).

If you don't finish it, ask for a takeaway box and you will be given a fancy one with "The Apollo" etched on it to take home and enjoy later. So good for creeping hunger pains that visit late at night (but so bad for your thighs).

 

Outfit Edit: Top by Nicola Finetti; Skirt by Cameo the Label & Shoes by Tony Bianco.

Talking about thighs, here's what I decided to wear that day. The skirt has had such an exciting reinvention (a blog about skirts coming shortly), so I instantly fell in love with this Cameo one. I've even got it in pink.

Happy eating, 

whoYen,
xox

Review of The Apollo by Terry Durack: 

http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/restaurants-and-bars/restaurant-review-the-apollo-20120225-1tuma.html

Restaurant Information:

44 Macleay Street,
Potts Point
Sydney, NSW, 2011
02 8354 0888

OPENING HOURS
Monday - Thursday
dinner from 6pm

Friday & Saturday
all-day menu from
12pm - 10.30pm

Sunday
all-day menu from
12pm - 9.30pm

High Tea at The Waiting Room in Crown Towers, Melbourne.

There's something lovely about High Tea.

A Rebecca Judd fan, I recently saw her post on her blog 'Rebecca Judd Loves' about her time at The Waiting Room in Crown Towers. With my Melbourne trip only a few weeks away, I made a booking to go with a girlfriend. 

Nestled on the edge of Crown Towers, The Waiting Room is discreet and not as flash as I had imagined. Sometimes you've got to wonder what these celebs get paid to promote a venue. Newly taken over by Shane Warne from Neil Perry, The Waiting Room looks great in photos, but it stops there. I entered somewhat disappointed, wanting to say aloud "This is it?" Sure, the lights created a nice ambiance, but ironically, the space also felt cold. Let's be honest- we go to high tea to chat with our girls surrounded by all things beautiful, not for the food, or even the tea. 

Or maybe that's just me? 

Now, the food. We opted for high tea with a glass of Chandon Blanc de blanc ($59). I enjoyed the sandwiches and the sweets (even though I wasn't in a sweet mood), but did not like the scones at all. 

As far as high tea goes, the food at The Waiting Room was quite good and generous when you compare it to what you usually get. I compare it to my Christina Re visit, which was lovely on the eye, and not so friendly on the palette (not enough of anything really). Though it must be reiterated, no one goes to High Tea to get a mind blowing culinary experience. 

You eat, you laugh, you chat, and then you leave and order a burger at Maccas. 

whoYen

xox

High Tea at The Waiting Room in Pictures

 

Inside Crown Towers

 

It's time to hire a new interior designer Crown Towers.

 

 

Outfit Edit: Dress by Cameo the Label

Outfit Edit: Off to afternoon tea wearing Dress by Cameo the Label; Gold Belt by Witchery; Boots by Zara & Bag by Phillip Lim.

___________________________________________________________________________________

The Waiting Room Menu & Pricing:

http://www.crownmelbourne.com.au/Assets/Files/TWR%20Food%20Menu%20June%202013.pdf