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Jenny
Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »
Today is a milestone for me……..my 100th blog post!
I must admit that when I started my blog, I was not looking ahead and had not even considered reaching this day.
In my previous life as a travel agent, I was often asked where I had been, what were the main sights to see, and more importantly, where did I have a fabulous meal. I thought a blog would be a perfect way of sharing this information.
Little did I know, I would meet you, and other fabulous people who, through commenting on the blogs or emailing me, I would get to know and share stories and lives with.
You have kept me going! Thankyou
As a little treat to myself, I am moving house!
A Taste of Travel now has it’s own web address.
www.atasteoftravelblog.com
www.atasteoftravelblog.com
I do have one big favour to ask of you. Those of you who are reading my blog either by email or RSS feed, could you please hit the subscibe button again on the new site.
Thankyou for your continued support and I look forward to seeing you at the new address.
Jenny
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged A Taste of Travel | 7 Comments »
On one of the last undeveloped beachside blocks on Lembongan, is this old Bali Lumbung.
Based on the design of old rice barns, the llang a llang roof is made of thatching from special grasses. Unfortunately they are slowly disappearing from the island.
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Posted in Bali, Postcards | Tagged Bali, Lembongan, Postcards, Travel | 4 Comments »
Since opening their retail venture in April, Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio in Melbourne have been tempting customers with their fabulous cakes and chocolates. Their little pink and white shop in South Yarra is chocolate heaven. After entering, we are immediately offered a taste of their yummy fudge. This could take a while!
The interior is simply laid out with a display cabinet on one side showcasing the beautiful cakes and their packaged products lining the shelves on the other side.
Inside the shop
At the back of the shop, Darren Purchese is busy in the kitchen. Before arriving in Australia, Darren was heady pastry chef in some of London’s most prestigious kitchens. In 2005 he made the move to Melbourne, joining Shannon Bennett at Vue du Monde where he helped the restaurant achieve their 3 star status. Together with partner Ian Burch, they now concentrate on their Sweet Studio.
Darren Purchese
The display of cakes, both large and small, is mouthwatering. Combinations such as raspberry, white chocolate, honey and lychee cake together with smoked white chocolate, coffee, aniseed and lemon and a new wild strawberry, peach and white chocolate cake grace the cabinet
Cakes on display
Chocolate, chocolate and chocolate cake on the left with a passion fruit, ginger, mint and coconut cake in the centre and the smoked white chocolate, coffee, aniseed and lemon cake on the right.
A favourite!
Cherry chocolate and cocoa nib cakes on the left with Chocolate, mandarin and salted caramel cakes
Passion fruit and raspberry meringues
Burch & Purchese chocolate bars have names such as Persian Delight, A Taste of Paradise, Mandarin Dark Chocolate, Spiced Toasted Almond Milk and Mint White Chocolate. How can you say no!
Inspired to use their products, I choose a jar of salted caramel and another that is a combination of layered chocolate hazelnut spread and half salted caramel. Jams also receive the Burch & Purchese touch. Raspberry and hibiscus jam, strawberry and rose petal jam are only two but it is the chocolate, strawberry and balsamic vinegar jam that I want to try.
There’s also some great crumbles to choose from that can be sprinkled over cakes or whipped in with meringues but I succumb to the raspberry and white chocolate edible clay mixture which I’m told raises a simple icecream to another level. By the way- they also make delicious fruit icecream and the best looking ice creams on a stick that I have seen!
Packaged goodies
Chocolate Bars and Chocolate, Caramel and Hazelnut Spread
In the centre of the store, birthday cake suggestions are on display in front of the ‘inspiration wall’ which is full of jars of different ingredients. ‘Pig out on your Birthday’ is perfectly named!
Birthday cakes
Chocolate flower garden
Perfect for the top of a little girls birthday cake
Sold by the box!
A decision is required for tonight’s sweet treat!
The winner’s are:
Delicious smoked white chocolate, coffee, aniseed and lemon cake
The richly titled ‘Chocolate, chocolate and chocolate cake’ is amazing. Layers of caramelised white chocolate cream, crunchy chocolate meringue, chocolate butter cream, drunken chocolate sponge and milk chocolate cream make up this slice of chocolate heaven.
Chocolate, chocolate and chocolate cake!
It’s hard to leave but I’ll be back for their Xmas treats!
Which cake would you like to try?
Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio
647 Chapel St
South Yarra
Tel: 03 9827 7060
Open: Tues – Sat, 10am- 6.30pm
Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio
Posted in Australia, Melbourne | Tagged Australia, Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio, Cakes, Chocolate, Melbourne, Travel | 6 Comments »
As a child, I remember our family’s Sunday drives. Often we would head to the hills for a picnic, stopping in a national park or another well known picnic spot or to a friend’s farm not far from the city. Even though we would only be an hour’s drive from the city, the trip always felt as though it was taking forever and I’m sure my parents quickly tired of that iconic child’s question “Are we there yet?”
I was remembering these trips last Sunday, when again I decided to head for the hills to see Paul Bangay’s garden in the Macedon Ranges. The drive took me through some beautiful Australian countryside which I thought you may like to see.
As I left Paul Bangay’s property, Stonefields, I passed this typical Aussie open shed sheltering under the trees.
Further on, at the intersection of the main road, stood a row of letterboxes made out of whatever could be found. This is a sight that is repeated through out the countryside to save the postie visiting every farm.
A bit further on I drove through a heavily wooded area of bush. Stopping on the side of the road to take these photos, I noticed that the gum trees on one side the road were recovering after a recent bush fire whilst those on the other side were left unscathed. More than likely it was the result of a controlled burn in the area.
This road sign says it all – watchout for koalas. Wouldn’t it be great to see one!
The small, one laned Manning Bridge, seemed to be hiding an overgrown creek, so I decided to investigate.
Closer to the city, the view changed and I found myself looking out over gently undulating hills.
In no time, I was back in the city, planning my next escape to the countryside!
Where do you like to go to escape the city?
Posted in Australia, Melbourne | Tagged Countryside, Gum Trees, Koalas, Mt Macedon, Victoria | 5 Comments »
Last year we fell in love with Tanzania. From Chada Katavi in the south to the plains of the Grumeti Reserve in the north, Tanzania holds so many special memories.
In the Ngorongoro Crater we were surprised by the way the wildebeest followed each other in single file across the crater floor.
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Posted in Postcards, Tanzania | Tagged Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, Travel, Wildebeest | 2 Comments »
It’s not often that leading Australian garden designer Paul Bangay opens his property ‘Stonefields’ to the public so when I read that it would be open last weekend, the date was immediately marked in the diary. This year’s event was to support the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation, an exciting project that Stephanie initiated in schools to encourage children to learn to grow, harvest, prepare and share seasonal produce.
Stonefields is in the Macedon Ranges about a one and a half hour drive from Melbourne and not far from Daylesford. It’s a beautiful drive through open country, forests and small towns.
Walking to the entrance, the horses that I pass remind me that this is rural property.
From the entrance gate, you are encouraged to follow the path to the front of the house so you can enjoy the symmetry of design that Bangay is famous for.
Straight away your eyes are taken to a circle in the hedge that frames the top story of the house. In the corner stands a collection of Bangay’s signature stone orbs and box balls.
Walking around this hedge, the next area features a water channel running down the the centre which is punctuated every so often with coiled snakes that form the water features.
Garden rooms branch off this central pathway. To the right is the walled garden, featuring a headless statue in the centre with blue obelisks standing tall in each quarter. Espaliered trees run along the wall, whilst Red Pierre roses clamber up the obelisks and beautiful pink and purple flowers intermingle with white Queen Anne’s lace. The last of the plum ‘Queen of the Night’ iris stand tall.
To the other side is the white garden, a beautiful tranquil area with a central lily pond.
Espaliered Hornbeam covers the walls – an experiment, I am told by Tim Fawcett, the head gardener, as it is a very slow growing plant.
The gate from here takes you to the designer bee hives that I spotted on the way in.
I don’t want to miss a corner, so I head back to the path to see what the next surprises is.
Standing at the top of the stairs, the view over the parterre garden is stunning. It takes a few minutes to absorb this work of art.
The garden is on two levels. A few steps down, there is a path meandering across the top of this area. At both ends, thatched rotundas stand, drawing your eye along the stone path that winds through different sized balled box hedges. All are perfectly clipped – there is not a leaf out of place!
In front of this is a large, beautifully manicured parterre garden of square and round hedges dotted with cyprus trees
I continue walking around the side of the house and find myself in the woodlands, a grassed area enclosed by garden and overlooked by magestic gum trees. A perfect setting for a cocktail party!
From here, another snaking path leads us through trees and hedges and finally reveals the stunning view at the front of the house.
On the other side, a table has been perfectly placed to enjoy the views. Cleverly, two plane trees have been planted in the middle of the table which will one day form an umbrella for this stunning outside eating area.
Looking back to the house, you can imagine sitting inside the house enjoying the view. The pool runs the length of the grassed area with gardens on either side. One of the gardens has used fabulous grasses and bronzed fennel. Horizontal catoneaster spills over the ledges.
The kitchen is at the far end of the house and popping around the corner I spot the potager or kitchen garden, though I am surprised by the bell tower in the centre. It is fabulous and creates it’s own story.
All that is left to see is the vegetable garden and this too has been given the designer treatment. Beautiful woven wood fences surround the vegetables with a slatted arch marking the entrance. The cabbages were the biggest I had ever seen and the raspberries had lots of fruit on them – it was obviously going to be a bumper crop. Stephanie Alexander would be proud!
It was hard leaving such an amazing property. In fact many people had made themselves very comfortable sitting in different areas and enjoying the views each garden held.
It’s easy to see why Paul Bangay’s reputation reaches to all corners of the world.
The beauty, the balance, the simplicity and the classic all work in harmony with the Australian landscape. You may have to wait another two years for the garden to be open again but it will be worth the wait.
Posted in Australia, Melbourne | Tagged Gardens, Melbourne, Paul Bangay, Stonefields, Travel | 8 Comments »
The months of researching where to eat in Paris had resulted in a long list of restaurants to try.
What I hadn’t realised was that our hotel was in a fabulous position for many of these restaurants. In the streets nearby, Japanese and Chinese restaurants flourished, and gauging by the queues that formed outside many of them, there are some very good ones.
At the end of the street was the restaurant, Les Bistronomes. After our fabulous day exploring the King’s private apartments at Versailles and Marie Antoinette’s Playground and Hamlet, this cozy little bistro was a perfect choice for dinner.
Small and intimate, we were immediately made welcome by one of the owners, Sylvain, who quickly found our table marked with a small blackboard with our name on it. A novel idea for reservations.
When I’m in Paris, I like to try different terrines and pâtés. I was not disappointed here. The pâté, wrapped in a pastry crust, had a knob of foie gras and a slice of duck breast in it. It was served with tasty pickled vegetables. Fabulous.
Pâté en Croûte with pickled vegetables
A beautiful red
Merlan with Artichokes
How could I resist the lemon meringue tart!
Lemon meringue Tart
Another popular restaurant, La Regelade Saint- Honoré was just around the corner in Rue Saint- Honoré. Unfortunately we could not get a table but I’m mentioning it so that you can add it to your list!
A bit further from the hotel, but still in the 1er Arr, is the restaurant ‘Spring‘. I was so excited when the hotel emailed me to say that they had been successful in making a reservation. This was no mean feat. Spring is one of the hardest restaurants in Paris to get into at the moment. Since its reopening in 2010 after moving from the 9th Arrondissement the buzz surrounding Chef Daniel Rose’s cooking has not stopped. You must literally ring on the day, one month prior to when you want to go, to make a booking.
On the way to your table, you pass the open kitchen at Spring. We kept popping up during the night to check what was happening but chef Daniel Rose (on the right) had it all under control!
Chef, Daniel Rose supervising in the kitchen
Another view of the kitchen
It’s always an interesting experience when the chef decides the menu! This is the case at Spring, where set menus prevail and each course is a surprise.
The lobster tail in fish soup starter set the bar very high. The seafood bisque had obviously been simmering for a while and had been reduced to a fabulous soup for the perfectly cooked lobster tail.
Breton Lobster Tail in Fish Soup
The Vegetable Torte was an unusual course but at the same time, so perfect. Filled with roasted tomato, capsicum, zucchini, beetroot and enclosed in a pastry case, it was a tasty surprise.
Vegetable Torte
Stunning Bonito Tuna
Chicken cheeks and leg with bacon
Just when you think you can’t possibly eat another morsel, out comes not one, but two desserts
Needless to say, every crumb disappeared!
Raspberry & Chocolate Mousse
Coconut Ice cream with Pistachios
I wonder what the menu will be for our next visit!
Do you like to plan your restaurants or do you prefer to ask the hotel to make a suggestion?
Spring
6, Rue Bailleu
Paris 75001
Tel: 33 01 45960572
Spring
6, Rue Bailleu
Paris 75001
Tel: 33 01 45960572
Spring
Les Bistronomes
34 Rue de Richelieu
Paris 75001
Tel: 33 01 42605966
Les Bistronomes
La Regelade St Honore
123 Rue Saint- Honoré
Paris 75001
Tel: 33 01 42219240
Posted in Accommodation, France, Paris, Restaurants | Tagged Accommodation, France, Les Bistronomes, Paris, Spring, Travel | 5 Comments »
This week’s postcard brings back wonderful memories of Udaipur and our stay at the Lake Palace Hotel. Situated in the middle of Lake Pichola, this hotel has many nooks and crannies where you can sit and enjoy the amazing view. I have also stayed in small hotels on the edge of the lake and the view of the hotel, sitting proudly in the centre, is just as mesmerising.
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Posted in India, Postcards | Tagged India, Lake Palace Hotel, Travel, Udaipur | 11 Comments »
What to do in Melbourne?
For something completely different this trip, I decided to explore the laneways of Melbourne. They have become tourist attractions in their own right as a result of the street art they encourage. Some of the artists have become famous and held their own exhibitions whilst for others, the laneways are their galleries.
Hosier Lane is one of the best shows in town. Running between Little Flinders Street and Flinders Street, it was once the centre of the garment making district but today, all that remains is its’ name.
On these everchanging walls of colour, some of the art works can last years, others months or some, just weeks.
I must remember to pop back in a few weeks and see if there have been any changes.
Love this dude!
About half way down the lane is the corner of Rutledge Lane where the Youth Projects ‘Living Room’ can be found.
The centre offers support to those in need. It may be a coffee and a chat, a place to have a shower, somewhere to wash their clothes, use the computer or have a meal.
The barbecue smells from lunch were certainly inviting!
Youth Projects building
Lunch time at Youth Projects
Pets are welcome!
You can follow Rutledge Lane around the corner or enter it from further down the lane.
Even the bins have been painted
Looking from Rutledge Lane into Hosier Lane
Hidden amongst the wall of blue, is the doorway to Movida, a fun Spanish tapas and vino bar. Great for a quick paella, glass of sangria or a churro and hot chocolate.
Entrance to Movida
From here it’s off to Union Lane which runs between Bourke Street Mall (opposite David Jones and Myer) and Little Collins Street for more art.
Union Lane street art
At the entrance to the laneways, look out for the Pacman poster. This is your guide to the back streets of Melbourne. It is very easy to explore on your own but tours are available if you would prefer.
Pacman: The Street art guide
Don’t forget to have a look at Cocker Alley, which was once home to work by the internationally acclaimed street artist, Banksy. Centre Place or Degraves Street are also fun lanes filled with cafes, bars, shops and more street art.
Melbourne Street Art Tours
Tel: 03 93285556
Melbourne Street Art Tours
Posted in Australia, Melbourne | Tagged Hosier Lane, Laneways of Melbourne, Melbourne, Street Art in Melbourne, Union Lane, Youth Projects | 11 Comments »
A Taste of Travel 