Thank you all for coming to the dinner! Was good.
Special thanks to Sharon for organising.
Combined Philip and Tim Bday Dinner
2013 Birthday Dinner
Mejico Restaurant
Gave Mejico Restaurant a try. It was right next to Jamie’s Italian and thought it would be easier to get a seat and also to try something different. After sitting down, and looking through the tips on Foursquare, I wasn’t too confident of the food. Not exactly many positive tips. In the end, I think it was alright; but felt a bit pricey.
The food is Mexican and I ordered according to some recommendations shown on the menu. The waitress also recommended that we get the guacamole. It’s made fresh in front of us on the Grinding bowl.
Market Fresh Guacamole
Avocado, Spanish onion, Coriander, Lime Juice. Wasabi, Walnuts, Serrano Chill
The waitress started off by asking if we were allergic to anything. None, so that was good. Then she put the ingredients into the grinding bowl and mixed them. From that moment, I wanted to say I’m allergic to the sound of the mortar and pestle…brrr.. And my next comment I wanted when she picked up the lime and said “now we add some lemon juice….”
Hiramas Kingfish
Ruby Grapefruit, Watermelon, Pepitas, Radish, Charred chilli flakes
I found this to be a bit too sour for my liking. But it probably would go well with some drinks.
Pacific Scallops
Avocado, Pomegranate, Jalapeno, crispy eschalots
This one was alright, but some people might find it bland. The sauce tended to soak into the crispy chips at the bottom, making it soggy.
Smoked Pork belly
Black bean hummus. Tomatillo salsa
This was actually quite nice. And the sauce went well with it. But as you bite into it, you know that there are a lot of fat on the pork.
Android 4.3 Battery not charging via USB fix
I have a Galaxy Nexus phone and after the update to android 4.3, the battery could not charge through the USB cable. Neither the wall socket or anything worked, unless I turned off the phone. This is totally unacceptable.
I have googled and some of the solutions such as turning MTP on and off, or camera mode on/off did not work.
What worked for me is described below and this stemmed from a post by Ramanjali
Current settings before getting it to work
– MTP is checked
– Phone is turned on
– Galaxy nexus phone
– never took off SIM
My steps
– turned on wifi (so i could download the app. i just didn’t want to use my data on the mobile plan).
– downloaded and installed the USB Host Diagnostics App. (Note I am not affiliated to the app in any way)
– opened the app (and wondered what I had to do)
– with usb cable connected to computer, i connected the other end to the phone.
– and then the message ‘Connected as a mobile device’. Woohoo, it’s charging as well now!
Hope this works for you too.
Hartsyard Restaurant
Hartsyard Restaurant Dinner, Thursday 08-Aug-2013
Thank you Sam Yeo for organising and also getting us complimentary food :)
We booked a table for 4 at 8.30pm on a Thursday night, and as expected, the place will full. We got our table pretty much on time, and were quickly scouring the menu to see what to order. Foursquare tips were for the Cripsy Pig Tails, Beef ribs, Fried Chicken and Pulled pork.
We added a vege dish and that made 5. That should be enough for 4, so says our waitress.
Woohooo…dessert!
Jamie’s Italian – Sydney
Finally got to try Jamie’s Italian restaurant in Sydney. I have been told that you can only get a seat if everyone has arrived, and that there is a long queue after 6. So the best time is to go before 6pm. So, here I am, at 5.30, asking for a table for 2. The waitress presses a few buttons and says we gotta wait 15 minutes.
After exactly 15 minutes, the beeper went off and we were shown our table. There were empty tables around us, so my guess is the 15 minute wait is intentionally done to pace the kitchen and also the wait staff. With such an early dinner (5.30pm), I didn’t mind the 15 minute wait.
I had a craving to try the burger, even though I knew I should try the pasta. My friend didn’t mind me trying the burger (because she has seen quite a number of people ordering it).
We also decided on a pasta (entree size), a salad, and then desserts.
THE JAMIE’S ITALIAN BURGER
Wagga Wagga beef with fontina cheese, pancetta, soft lettuce, tomato salsa, dill pickles, chilli & fried onion
I didn’t find the burger to be that great. It’s ok. The pickles were good. Overall, nothing spectacular. I think I prefer Grill’d burgers. Craving satisfied!
BLACK ANGEL SPAGHETTI
Squid ink pasta, scallops, garlic, chilli, anchovies, wine & capers
Friend took the first bite…and then “waaahhhhh…this is verrry niceeeeee!”…and kinda laughed uncontrollably. :) The portion is quite small, so order the Main size.
SALUMI, CHERRY & POMEGRANATE SALAD
Fresh salad, baby herbs & crispy salumi, with sticky balsamic & pomegranate
A refreshing salad. Quite liked the sweetish sour taste and the pomegranate bits. This was not a typical ‘salad’ as compared to many places, so that’s why we tried it.
OUR SPECIAL TIRAMISU
Coffee-flavoured trifle with orange mascarpone & chocolate
Another ‘exclamation’ from my friend that this is niceeeee. I liked this also. I like my Tiramisu to be moist and soaked! But I didn’t care much for the mascarpone.
Also tried the JI Warm Brownie which was OK only.
All the photos can be found here
Went again, and tried
BAKED KING SALMON
with whipped lemony artisanal ricotta, balsamic-roasted winter veg & a zesty, crunchy salad
This was ok to me. Nothing tantalizing.
SEAFOOD BUCATINI
Tubular spaghetti steamed in a bag with crab, mussels, clams, squid, scallops, capers, chilli, garlic, white wine & juicy sweet tomatoes
Quite nice. I think I should just stick to pasta next time. AND save some of the bread, so that it can be dipped into the pasta sauce.
Raspberry fondant
Warm dessert for winter.
Whale Watching
I took leave on Friday, August 2nd to go on a Whale Watching cruise, courtesy of a Groupon Coupon sent by Yin Yin; who had bought it but left the country without using. I’m the only one ‘free’ and interested enough to go, I suppose.
Anyways, I was quite prepared for the trip. Warm clothes, drinks, $3 subway for lunch, dslr and also a compact camera; and also a borrowed 300mm lens. And then with luck, I would be able to get a few nice photos!
The journey began from Darling harbour, under the bridge, and out towards South Head and onto the ocean waters. Waves weren’t really big, but you’ll find them to be higher than the horizon at times. Overall, the sea was pretty calm and the temperature at a cosy 20 degrees. Dolphins were first sighted and everyone were eagerly waiting to see these huge mammals. There! There! 4 o’clock position! a whale! we do see a spout, and a speck of whale…and then it was gone. We waiting around for another 10 minutes or so until they next surface; and hopefully we’re positioned better.
We weren’t so lucky. They came up behind us, and then down under the water again. And so, this went on and on for the next hour or two.
Another 2 boats came to watch as well; and I was just trying to stay awake and not yawn too much. And to my amusement, there were people sleeping inside the boat. Must be asians! Pay all the money, and come to sleep!
Overall, the trip was kinda boring. The whales were boring and not cooperative. So, my photos aren’t that great. But it was a good afternoon out in the water; having friends to go with would be must more fun.
Check out the ones I took 5-6yrs ago at Nowra. Now, that was awesome.
Relatives visiting Mid 2013
First, came Uncle Victor for his work trip from Hong Kong.
Then, Alwyn’s Parents (Uncle Franklin & Aunty Unice), and Uncle Newton as well.
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