Gerald Durrell is one of my favourite authors.  The books tell of his adventures around the world collecting, capturing and nurturing animals first for other zoos and then for his own. His use of language to paint captivating scenes and amusing anecdotes is masterful and wherever I go in the world, I often recollect tales… Read more

At first glance, Entice Me Cafe looks a lot like the Lanford Lunch Box from Roseanne.  You know the sort of place.  A typical blue collar snack bar in an industrial estate with a name like ‘Tuckerbox’ or ‘Lucky’s Grill’.Well, looks can be deceiving.  Once you walk inside, the illusion is shattered and you can… Read more

I love Heston Blumenthal because he’s the antipathy of the power chef.  Self taught, a bit of a nerd, he’s had a few famous disasters (food poisoning at his Michelin starred Fat Duck restaurant to name one) and is a bit of an average looker. Yet, he’s hugely popular, much of it on the back… Read more

A throw away comment at the end of the Eurovision party saw a small group of us recovening on a Friday evening at Public.  It’s been on the list for a while, not the least because my husband and many of my friends work in the same building.  I wish I had a bar below… Read more

Regular readers will recall my Furious 5 series where I did five blog post in five days about the coffee shops within walking distance of my job in ‘Lower’ Fortitude Valley / Newstead ‘Heights’ / ‘Outer’ Bowen Hills.  That is, in the middle of nowhere.  One bonus of where I work (if you can it… Read more

I hate making pastry!  Baking is made up of two schools. Those who are born into a dynasty of bakers who have been turning out buttery flans, light as a feather sponges and scones worthy of CWA approval since Eve was a girl. As wee things, they stood on a stool at the kitchen bench… Read more