Queen Victoria Night Market draws to a close - Melbourne

A simple pleasure not to be missed, the Queen Victoria Night Market is in its final two weeks closing on 26th March 2014.

What has been a Summer of sunshine, bands, an array of food and not forgetting the delicious sangria, the night market is a Melbourne icon for travellers and dwellers alike. Into its 16th year, the night market runs from 5pm - 10pm offering punters street food from around the world, music and clothing stalls.

Night Noodle Markets - Alexandra Gardens, Melbourne

Hear yee, hear yee... Good Food Month is upon Melbourne.

As a food lover and tourist, constant scanning of upcoming events involving meals is a necessity so after reading about the Melbourne Night Noodle Markets  on the Good Food site had to get down there.

Based in the Alexandra Gardens just across the Yarra river from Federation Square, the Night Noodle Market runs from 18th - 30th November 2013 offering a selection of Eastern inspired cuisine. From popular food trucks like Banh Mi Boys to long established restaurants such as Longrain and Chin Chin, 25 stalls have been set up in an Asian style market to sell to the masses each night.

Barry - old man by name, cool cafe by nature - High St, Northcote

Having landed in Melbourne five weeks ago, I quickly discovered something... Melbourne residents are ADDICTED to coffee. And I mean seriously addicted.

On the first few tries of a Melbourne cup of Joe, I found my eyes zooming in and out, speaking quickly and given a raging boost of energy. Exactly what the world keeps saying is bad for us but a caffeine kick is great in my opinion.

I saw Barry on my first drive home from the airport. Spotting the exposed brick work a mile off I added it to the long list of lunch joints to try whilst here.

Image from broadsheet.com.au

Thailand on a shoestring - Northern Thailand & Hill tribe Trek

As part of my travels to the land down under, Thailand was on the list. The Gadventures trip "Thailand on a shoestring" stood out to me, with 16 days of travel from Bangkok to the north, Chiang Mai, a hill tribe trek, then down to the islands in the south with a group of no more than 16 people.

Arriving in Bangkok was a little intimidating, after heavy travel I just wanted my bed so stuck to the hotel restaurant rather than exploring. All the Thailand Gadventures trips start from the Bangkok Centre Hotel, located close to the main train station. The hotel was more than I expected with reasonably priced food, clean, decent sized rooms, a pool and free wifi.

Can't beat a bit of meat - Reds True BBQ, Leeds

Reds True BBQ popped up in Leeds at the beginning of 2012 providing a giant slab of meat on the doorstep of Call Lane, right in the city centre.

A haven for meat lovers, their slogan "low and slow" gives an idea of just how you're getting your meat. Having started working in Leeds again this spring, I was drawn to Red's after Channel 4's Sunday Brunch Chef Simon Rimmer said he was heading their for a meeting and asked for recommendations on Twitter.

Ariba! Ariba! Mexican street food... in the centre of Leeds

Three months off... tres naughty!

However lots of coming posts full of delicious treats and feasts for the eyes, from restaurants, to bars to festivals with plenty of recommendations in various different cities.

Having shuffled back over to the epicentre of West Yorkshire to a new job in Leeds, I arrived at the same time as the new Trinity Leeds Shopping Centre (how convenient).

I'm swiftly working my way round all the brand new eateries and cocktail caves but after a lovely few weeks of actual Summer sunshine headed to Cielo Blanco, a Mexican restaurant on the top floor of the centre.

Mrs Atha's - lots of Leeds love for my new local

As many may know I'm partial to a spot of tea or coffee and cake every now and again... ok more than now and again.

Having recently joined a super cool (I realise this sounds cheesy) company in Leeds four weeks ago, my commute has changed from Sheffield to my old stomping ground in Leeds.

I'm not 100% how I came across Mrs Atha's but I'm certainly glad I did. The decor is semi industrial with my favourite interior elements of a brick wall or three, high ceilings and metal beams.

Started makin' trouble in my Neighbourhood - bringing New York to Manchester.

Whilst over in Manchester for the Jessie Ware gig, I took the opportunity to have lunch with my very good friend. We've been to cute and kitsch cafe come restaurants like Home Sweet Home/Jack Spratts/Common and loved them, but wanted to check out somewhere different.

My friend recommended Oast House or Neighbourhood in Spinningfields. It was a toughy when I'd checked out both of the menus but we went for Neighbourhood, mainly because I saw Lobster on the menu! (Next time Oast House!)

Fresh Lobsters at Neighbourhood

Happy Birthday.... to me!

In keeping with my French theme, we head back to Sheffield for my 28th birthday meal, yes 28, I'm in shock too! A recommendation from my French teacher, Cafe Ceres was the restaurant of choice, located at the end of popular Ecclesall Road at Hunters Bar.

Ceres at Hunters Bar - Sheffield

A little more on Cafe Ceres directly from the website:

"Ceres (or Café Ceres as it was known before we dropped the café bit) spent its first twelve years as a small, cosy café in squashed but charming premises on Sharrow Vale Road. We now occupy a much bigger (but still charming!) place on Hunter’s bar roundabout, only about 250 yards from our original base. Ceres has been run by us – Jean-Paul and Caroline Strappazzon – since the summer of 2000 when we moved to Sheffield from France to try our hand at the catering business. We serve good coffee, brunches and lunches, and open late for French bistro evenings 4 nights a week."

Joie de Vivre - A mini guide - Day 2 - all the Ms, Montmatre, Marais and 1st ever escargots!

A little know fact is that in 2005 I studied in Melbourne as part of my University media course. Living with new people from many different countries, Australia, France, America, Sweden, Sri Lanka, Colombia. The lucky thing for me is that lots of the people I've met, I'm still friends with 8 years later!

Including my beautiful French friend and her hubby who runs Cantine California (www.cantinecalifornia.com)  who live in old gay Paris and who I now get to see every 6 months! More on this later!

With time off on a Friday evening, I braved the crazy Parisian snow in a taxi to head to the North of Paris, to Montmatre, near the Sacre Couer (must see for a tourist). After abandoning the taxi at the bottom of rue de Trois Freres, I met my friends in La Famille. A super cool restaurant/come bar with a crazy mojito menu! I had the Framboise Menthe Poivre - or in English, Raspberry, mint & chilli. Sounds strange but it was lush! Its in the detail at La Famille, the drinks were served with dry ice and a mint flavoured sweety teddy. I also tried the Peche, Gingerembre - Peach and Ginger beer which came avec flying saucers! I could not choose between the two.

Vive le Paris Mini Guide! Day One - Tour de Eiffel, Bastille & The Islands

Paris, the city of romance, Fashion capital of the world, known for Le Tour de France and amazing food and wine.

Le Tour de Eiffel - View from Trocadero

Due to my job, this was my third visit to Paris in a year, for an international exhibition. Lucky for me we do get some free time in the late afternoon and evenings to explore what is fast becoming one of my favourite cities.

Happy New Year!

It's 2013! Crazy stuff, I feel like the past year has passed me by in the blink of an eye and yet, when I've been choosing my "Year of instagrams" I was spoilt for choice having crammed in a ridiculous amount of things.

So look back over 2012 then, firstly Happy New Year is in French because I started learning French again last year and went to Paris for the first time in January, hence January instragram, Tour de Eiffel! 

February - Birthday season, we hit Whitby in a cottage in the snow, had cocktails and meals. Then my sis and I went to Liverpool to see The Drums (02 academy - great venue).

A Fancy Pants Double Trip to Hakkasan, London

My now London lovelies were the instigators for my first trip to Hakkasan this weekend as I headed on down to Landan Town for a girly catch up and festive time with friends I used to work with.

I read a bit about it prior to our trip at the weekend and knew it was a bit of a celebrity haunt too, so I was intrigued as to what was in store.

We booked the "modern Chinese" Mayfair restaurant as a pre Christmas treat  for five of us and met in the bar. Three of our friends had already arrived and were sampling the cocktail menu. I had the Kumquatcha, a Kumquat based drink with rum and fizz, whilst my friends had various lovely drinks, a Strawberry and Ginger Bellini and Black Forest Martini to name a few.

Kumquatcha - Hakkasan

Wild at Heart at Bestival...

Sooo as Bestival announce their theme for 2013 as HMS Bestival to mark their 10 year celebrations, let me tell you a little about my experience at the festival on the Isle of Wight...

With Glastonbury taking a break this year to sort the farm out, I was looking for a festival equally as exciting to take my fancy this summer and Bestival happened to crop up. It was on the Isle of Wight, bonus! And the fancy dress theme was Wildlife, even better.

I hate to waste cake

As a frequent visitor to London for work I often try and find new cafes out and about for an email and list catch up before heading to the next meeting.

Today was no exception as I was wandering down brick lane and found this little gem...

Kahaila

A little quirky coffee shop on Brick Lane. It was the beautiful selection of cakes in the window that drew me in. Having not got over my love (ahem addiction) of chai latte's I popped in for one here and ended up staying for lunch! They had a variety of homemade sandwiches and cakes of course in generous portions. I opted for the salami brie and tomato ciabatta and a small slice of raspberry and white chocolate home made cake. She said they didn't do small but I hate to waste cake!

 The atmosphere wasn't intimidating, light and quiet with creative types having meetings or typing away on their apple macs but the staff were really friendly!

The yummy cake selection

Buenos Aires, where even the dogs are attractive!

Well I have nicked the name of this post from the title of my Facebook album as it's so true!

Buenos Aires is a very very cool city. After visiting in July to meet my Aussie friends for two weeks, it's quickly become one of my favourite cities. Its very creative, with a massive cafe culture, restaurants a plenty, busy bars and clubs that you don't leave until 8am!

With two of my best friends headed off in that direction I decided to pull together some recommendations in a primarily picture based post of the crazy city of BA, Argentina.


The winter view from our apartment in Palermo, Soho

Gunpowder, Treason & Plot

Remember, remember the 5th of November, gunpowder, treason and plot!

Bonfire Night is one of my favourite nights, I love getting wrapped up all toasty in a big coat, hat and gloves and playing with sparklers and eating yummy food!

Marrakech Madness

This post is especially for my friend who is off to Marrakech in Morocco in just over a month. Myself and two friends also headed out there for a bit of a winter girly break in November/December 2010.

One of the main things I love about Marrakech is that they speak "en francais" which means I automatically got carried away with way too many "oui oui's" but I think the locals appreciated we had a go.



The Pool at Villa Amira

We stayed in a Riad called Villa Amira, which was adorned with beautiful mosaic and water features, a small outdoor pool, which we sat next to for their traditional Morroccan breakfast - hard boiled eggs, sweet bread, fruit, yoghurt, tea and freshly squeezed orange juice. The riad also boasted a pretty roof terrace, which will be great in warmer climates.

Well Bloo88 Me!

Bloo 88, in the heart of Sheffield, has sat under several different names including Rise and other alter egos, however it's main feature has always been that of its stonebaked pizzas and toasty atmosphere.

After recently being renovated (it's over 100 years old) we've started heading here for their delicious 2-4-1 pizza offer, available every single night of the week.

Stonebake Oven