After a long absence we finally see the return of the Soup Series! Some of you may remember seeing this recipe used at our Dinner for 6 a few months back. I recently stumbled across the recipe again and remembering how much I enjoyed making and eating this soup I felt the need to share.

To celebrate a good friend J’s birthday, Howard and I along with a group of friends got together to attempt a French Laundry themed dinner. The reason why we chose French Laundy is that J will be going to America next month, however due to time constraints she’s unable to visit Thomas Keller’s famed restaurant.

The French cuisine is amongst the most highly regarded in the world. Deciding on a couple of dishes from millions was the most difficult task. In saying that, one thing we did want to do is aim for a couple of classics and possibly choose dishes that would challenge our cooking abilities.

I’ll be honest and admit that I had not heard of what Yuletide was until this evening. I’m not sure where I failed in primary school and missed this piece of knowledge. Anyway, thanks to the wonderful Mel from Fooderati and Stewart from Whiteworks, a handful of bloggers had the opportunity to meet a few people in the Food industry as well as try the delights served by Darren Templeman at Restaurant Atelier.

For most people, Friday nights are reserved for meeting up with friends and drinking away the stresses of work. For me, last Friday, with the glorious weather radiating late into the night, I was confined to sorting out hundreds of food photos on my hard drive. Laboriously sifting through each of the photos and categorising it, I came across a dozen or so of pictures which as a result of frantic December, I accidentally abandoned.

Having launched our blog earlier this year, we were excited and surprised that it is still running by the end of the year. To celebrate the unexpected longevity of our food blog we decided to hold a christmas dinner for the contributors to eatshow&tell and their partners at Restaurant Soujourn.

The variety in the degustation menu at Assiette was obviously thoroughly planned by chef Warren Turnbull, everything just goes well together, taking you on a journey with each flavour deepening the further you go into the courses, inviting each senses into a state of arousal with each developing course. For those wanting to give their tastebuds a great trip at minimal cost, I’d definitely reccommend Assiette.

Onde is situated just off the busy main artery that is Victoria Road – a drab grey little building incongruously sitting next to a bright blue retail store. If I was a bit put off with its exterior, it did its best to welcome me with a cosy and warm interior, with a touch of modern funkiness.

Birthday dinner #[something] was celebrated at the newly crowned Sydney’s 2009 Best New Restaurant of the year, Berowra Waters Inn. Situated 45 minutes or so north of the city, Berowra is a nice leafy suburb on the fringe of Sydney. As there is no car access to the restaurant, they provide a private ferry service from a public wharf. I thought this was one of the “cool” and unique things about this place.

Bonjour, Tu as faim ? Well if you are hungry, then maybe you would like to join us on our first ever venture into French cuisine. French food always has an air of elusiveness about it, one that I am quite intimidated by. However the mystery of how French people are able to maintain their enviously tiny figures yet able to indulge in butter-laden pastries, cholesterol clogging cheese and cream filled cakes and tarts has pique my foray into French Cuisine.

Like a fish to bait, Howard and I were both lured to Beluga by the promising menu consisting of Soft shell crab with wild mushroom; Lobster crepe and thinly sliced Wagyu beef among other mouthwatering delights. Making our booking two weeks in advance, our anticipation to taste test chef Opel Khan’s creations grew with each passing day.

Fondue’s one of those things that I’ve heard of so often but never tried. I think my first introduction to the concept of fondue was on an episode of Earthworm Jim where Evil the Cat wanted to destroy the universe. Strange, but true; *sighs* cartoons back then were so much better (and now I just sound old haha). Anywho, so imagine my delight when my friend invited me for a (belated) celebratory birthday dinner involving the consumption of fondue.