Paths to Abstraction Exhibit at the Art Gallery of NSW

A market buddy, Naomi, and I decided to visit the Art Gallery of NSW yesterday. It is always nice to get some fresh inspiration, so when Naomi suggested this exhibit I didn't know what to expect, but I loved it!



The above images were taken from the Art gallery of NSW website. 1st image: Patrick Henry Bruce "Painting". 2nd image: Frantisek Kupka "Discs of Newton".

So many great artists and recognisable artworks in the one exhibition: Cezanne, Duchamp, Kandinsky, Malevich, Matisse, Mondrian, Monet, Munch, Picasso, Whistler. There are approx 40 different artist's work on display.

I wanted to share with you a few of my favourites:


Unfortunately this is the only image I could find on the web of the above artwork. It is by Sonia Delaunay, "Dancer, second version 1916". The colours and the proportions of these colours together are simply beautiful! I love using artworks to inspire my colour combinations, as artwork is already proof that the colours work together.

Naomi, who is the designer of Mae and Pearl, and she also designs her own prints, mentioned that she might use the above artwork as inspiration for a print. I hope she does! I would love it!!

Well worth the visit to see this in its real-life format.



Above, Robert Delaunay's "Nude woman reading". I LOVE the colours in this work too.


Naomi and I out the front of the art gallery. Such beautiful weather for mid winter!


There were many more artworks that I loved, so you will just have to visit the exhibit to see for yourself! Piet Mondrian's "Zomernacht", Andre Derain's "Banks of the Seine at Bougival", and Morgan Russell's "Four Part Synchromy, no 7" just to name a few.

Viewing this exhibit has given me a few ideas for my Summer collection, so I can't wait to start it!

Mao's Last Dancer: Book vs. Movie

My hubbie and I watched a preview screening of "Mao's Last Dancer", last night.

I had only just finished reading the book (of the same name), only a day before, so images and stories from the book were afresh in my mind.

My husband loved the movie, and phoned his parents' directly after the movie, to tell them to go and see it. I enjoyed the movie, and the ballet dancer, Chi Cao, who played Li Cunxin was fantastic! I am not an expert when it comes to Ballet (far from it), but even I could tell he was amazing!

I guess you could say the movie was an inspired version of the book, and they followed some of the story-lines and quotes directly from the book, but they left a lot out... but as the book explains, they had to make an over 400 page book, into a 108 page screen play!

I loved the book, because it was so personal; full of love, hope and passion; sometimes despair. I was surprised by the movie, as I thought they left out some of the crucial moments between his family. I guess they decided to concentrate more on his climb through the ballet ranks, rather than his family struggles- which I guess from a movie-makers point of view, would be more exciting.

I loved the movie because, visually, it was beautiful, and the dancing was amazing! For me, as I have no idea about ballet, the movie was crucial to understand what he was talking about (with some of the moves in the book), and as I said before, Chi Cao was fantastic!

I recommend to go and see the movie, and if you like it, make sure you read the book!

Tabou Restaurant

The hubbie and I dined at Tabou, last Friday night. Tabou is a lovely French Restaurant, situated in one of Sydney's very busy restaurant quarters: Crown Street, Surry Hills.



I usually try to not eat too much dairy, as I am technically allergic to it- but how can anyone pass up a twice baked goats cheese and Gruyere soufflé? I certainly can't! It was a melt-in-your-mouth, gorgeously extravagant, and satisfying! The allergies will just have to suffer! (soufflé pictured above).


The hubbie had the Bisque.


I love visiting Tabou. The service is always friendly and helpful, the food exquisite, the atmosphere cosy, romantic, and a little like you have been transported to another place, and perhaps another time!

Details:
Address: 527 Crown Street, Surry Hills, Sydney, 2010, NSW, Australia
Phone: 9319 5682
Website: www.tabourestaurant.com.au

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Sepia Restaurant and Wine Bar

My husband and I, dined at Sepia Restaurant and Wine Bar, in Darling Park, Sydney, last night.

It was fantastic! We had a seven course Chef Tasting menu, with wines to match. Every course was exquisite- the way it was prepared and cooked; the way it was presented; the wines they had chosen to compliment each course; to the service of the staff.


Above is the Roasted Squab

Sepia seems to have a seafood influence (due to the collaboration between De Costi Seafoods, and Head Chef Martin Benn), and of course, this is fine for most people... but not for some one like me, who dislikes seafood.

However, I was most pleasantly surprised when dining at this restaurant. As we were with a group, the rest of our group had the set menu, which included a large quantity of seafood. For me, they gave me a separate menu, and catered every wine to the changed menu especially for me! I was so happy! Usually, if I ever eat at a seafood inspired restaurant, I generally only have one choice, so this sort of service and choice was completely unexpected, but very appreciated.



I am usually quite reluctant to try new kinds of meat or overly fancy foods, but every item on my menu was delicious, and well worth the plunge into the uncertain world! My favourite was probably the venison.


Above is the Roasted Duck Breast

Every person on our table left feeling very happy with our choice of venue, and I would recommend Sepia to anyone who appreciates gorgeous and interesting food, beautiful wines, fantastic service, and living it up a little!



The menu I had is outlined below. The wines that were matched with each course came from all over the world, including: Australia, France, Italy, Austria, USA, Spain, Greece, and my favourite was the dessert wine: 2006 Royal Tokaji Wine Company 'Ats Cuvee" Late Harvest Furmint from Tokaji, Hungary.


Amuse Bouche

Ballontine of Chicken, Pink Radish, Licorice Powder

Roasted Squab Salad, Confit Potato, Pickled Betroot, and Hazelnut Viniagrette

Chestnut Mushroom Risotto with Mustard Butter and Mushroom Essence

Pan Roasted Aylesbury Duck Breast, Caramelised Fennel, Fennel Candy, Pickled Walnuts, Walnut and orange Jus

Roast Loin of Gippsland Lamb, Crisp Lamb Belly, Braised Dakon, Jerusalem Artichoke, Mushroom Infusion

Seared Loin of Venison with Sansho Pepper, Caramelised Witlof Hearts, Meyer Lemon Puree, Caper and Celery Leaf Jus

Pre Dessert

Citrus Marshmallows, Pineapple Sorbet ,Mint Whip, Coriander Sprouts


This is one of the seafood courses that my Husband had.

The Adriano Zumbo Cafe

Just like any other girl, I love my sweets! A few of my friends are just like me, and we especially make up occasions, just so we can go and try a different place each time. My friends had recommended Adriano Zumbo. I had never heard of it, but was certainly not dissappointed!



Pictured above, a dessert, named "The Younger Years". I ate this one. All I can say is divine! And the icecream actually does taste like peanut butter.



Another dessert, which my friends had, "its not a hamburger.... it's a macaroon"

We also had a savoury first. My friends each had the corn cakes, and I had the quiche. Very nice for both- but lets face it, we didn't go there for the savouries!

We ate at the cafe chocolat, and they also have a patisserie a few doors up, selling a few more interesting specialities. I couldn't help myself, and I brought some more home with me... A passionfruit tart, and a chocolate/caramel tart.

Just take a look at the Adriano Zumbo website, and your mouth will start to water! Simply stunning, flavourful, inventive concoctions, that left me wanting more (even though I was stuffed to the brim)!



My friends and I after our sugar-rush! The weather was so gorgeous... 28.c.in Sydney yesterday- not bad for winter!

My Life In Ruins: A Review

My friend and I went to see the new Nia Vardalos movie, "My Life In Ruins" last night.


I quite liked it.... The plot basically is about a woman, Georgia, who has gone to Greece looking for adventure, romance and spontaneity, and has ended up working as a tour guide instead of following her dreams, and she has lost her love for life.

I loved "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"- the movie which Nia Vardalos is famous for. It was over- the-top and predictable at times, but at the time it was a new idea to me.

This is another over-the-top movie, sometimes a little too, what I call "cringe-worthy". I guess mainly because they had the stereo-typical Aussie backpackers in the tour... well, what Americans think of us anyway... but I guess, these movies basically rely on stereo-typical cultural scenarios- so I can't complain really.

Anyway, besides that, it was funny, had a nice little "moral to the story", and was generally a very easy to watch movie. This is a chick flick that you could easily take your boyfriend or parents to, and they would like it.

The scenery was to die for, and it has inspired me to visit this beautiful country! I could imagine being in awe of the beautiful ancient ruins and monuments.... Very inspiring.

For now, memories of the movie and the internet will have to do! I would say for this movie 3.5 out of 5 for me.

El Bulli Spanish Tapas Restaurant

A friend and I visited EL Bulli, a Spanish Tapas restaurant a few night ago. It was fantastic!

The food was fabulous, the atmosphere (even for a Monday night) was lively, and the staff were helpful- all what you want in a restaurant.

While I still love the Spanish Fly, (which is another Tapas restaurant just across the road from El Bulli,) I would go back to El Bulli in a heart beat. Try the Lamb Back Straps, and the Croquets- YUM!

I guess, if you are after a quiet dinner, neither of these restaurants will provide this, but I could imagine this place to be perfect for a party.
If you head over to The Spanish Fly, make sure you get the spinach and cheese Empanadas- they are to die for, and I would go to this restaurant just for these!!!!