Snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, La Pizza and Devine Gelato @ Cairns

The only thing we wanted to do and see on our first day in Cairns was jump on a catamaran and head out to the Great Barrier Reef.  Of course this just also happened to be one of the worst days to do so in the week we were up North...But we decided to still go out.

Overcast, cool and with threats of rain we boarded our vessel and sat out on the top deck for tea and muffins trying to catch the small amount of rays that were trying to shine through the clouds. 

choc chip muffins

Once we headed out to sea, we had to move inside.  30 knot winds and bouncing around the sea is not ideal (let's just say that for someone that never really feels seasick spent most of the trip out to the reef sitting on the back of the boat a little green!).

However, once we did reach the reef, things calmed a little and managed to spend a good couple of hours in the water, although quite choppy, the water was a warm 25 degrees (warmer in than out of the water) and we snorkeled around Milln and Flynn reef.

We swam with huge green turtles, saw a reef shark, a lagoon ray plenty of fish and some amazing coral (and yes we goofed around some with the photographer).

guess where I am?

 

 

snorkeling the reef

 

We got to meet this little (okay large) fella...goes by the name Dustin and/or Nigel depending on who you speak to.  He is a Napolean Wrasse and very friendly.

meet Dustin

We did manage a bite to eat, which was served buffet style.  A few local prawns, sushi, rice, chicken, stew and some salad.  It was basic stuff but tasty enough, however I really didn't have much of an appetite and barely touched it.

buffet offerings

 

After a fabulous day out, we had a few drinks and nibbles on our balcony overlooking the mangroves of Cairns.  I could easily get used to this. 

olives, dips, cheese and crackers with a vodka soda

For dinner we headed to La Pizza on the Esplanade, along with all the hordes of tourists, backpackers, families and the general population.  This place gets busy.

A few wines, some good conversation and we shared a pizza.  The menu offered to many wonderful toppings and we ended up with a half/half with Zucca and Alagnello.

Zucca/Alagnello

The Zucca side had tomato, mozzarella, roasted pumpkin, feta, pine nuts and fresh rosemary.  The Alagnello had tomato, marinated lamb, red onion and red peppers topped with tzatziki sauce.  The pizza base was thin and crispy and held up with the delicious toppings.

gelato makes me happy

No night out is complete without gelato, so we headed up the road to Devine Gelato which is voted number 1 on Tripadviser. 

Epic fail on my part - but I don't seem to remember exactly what we ordered.  I think Mr C had caramel and something and I had a scoop of macadamia and a hazelnut one (I think)....boohoo.  It was creamy and very tasty, but I was just to full after (sharing) a pizza....

The Wicked Spoon - Las Vegas

Sin City.  The city of slots, buffets, shows and neon lights.  The city that never sleeps. I have arrived!

Leading up to this holiday, I naturally did a lot of research on food.  I planned to do only one buffet in Vegas because, well I can't do justice to them, and I wanted to make it as worthwhile as possible.  tossing up between the Bellagio and the Wicked spoon, the Wicked spoon won!  Found at the Cosmopolitan Hotel, the Wicked Spoon took Vegas by storm when it first opened, with rave reviews.  Lately there as been mixed reviews and some enthusiasts say it's not the same anymore.  But that doesn't deter me.

 

 

I arrive early and there are no lines (but by the time I left it was packed!)

 

 

The wicked spoon may be just 'another' buffet in Vegas, but here instead of serving yourself from trays in a bain marie, most of the dishes are served for one ready to go.   Good for portion control (if there is such a thing at a buffet).  Maybe to much per serve to be able to sample everything but I like the presentation and your food doesn't get piled up on a plate with all the flavours mixing together.

 

Let's drool over some of the offerings first.

 

 

Salad bar

 

 

 

ceviche in a shot glass

carnitas and tacos

 

mounds of crab claws

 

scallops

there is so much choice that I have trouble deciding what to try.  I go with some of the following.  Fried Chicken (really I just wanted to get the mini fry basket :)), spicy korean rice cake, shepherds pie, polenta, mussels, bone marrow, korean kalbi rib and sushi.

my samplings

The fried chicken is crispy, juicy and good crunch.  the Korean rice cakes are a little gluggy for me (I'm not good with starch anyway), the shepherds pie is good and comforting, so is the polenta, the bone marrow is creamy and meaty spread on a cracker.  The kalbi rib is tender and spicy....I'll pass on the sushi.

 

prawn cocktail shot

 

  

mini fried chicken baskets and  mini skillets of shepherds pie

 

bone marrow

People were going crazy over the bone marrow!  Who wouldn't - this is not something you see on your everyday buffet (except Wicked Spoon!)

More drooling?

meatballs

  

BBQ shrimp and mussels

  

Duroc Pork Ribs with chinese BBQ sauce and Korean style kalbi ribs

sushi

I may have had two cones of these babies.

cones of cracklin's

korean spicy rice cakes in a box with kimchee

 

I cannot leave without sampling the vast array of desserts.  All displayed in cones and little cups

pumpkin cheesecake shots

chocolate pecan pie shots

Strawberries dip in chocolate and crush oreo cookies

sample platter

As far as buffets go in Las Vegas, this one is a great one.  It's reasonably priced and offers just something a little different.  They do a brunch buffet too, which has had great reviews.

Definitely a hit.

Flavours of the Philippines @ Shangri La

I was fortunate enough to attend the launch lunch for Flavours of the Philippines at Sydney's Shangri La.  The festival is running between 1 - 15 October and coincides with Good Food Month.

Greeted my the Shangri La team on arrival, introductions were made and we were seated around two big tables with other food bloggers.

As a newbie to Filipino cuisine and only really having tasted adobo before I was very keen to learn more about the cuisine and the regional variations.  Filipino food has over the centuries developed into a unique blend of Malay, Spanish, Chinese and American.

On closer inspection of the buffet, I was surprised of the abundance of both cold and hot dishes on offer and I had already eyed off the halo-halo bar as I walked in.

Chef Gene S. Del Prado, who is the Executive Sous Chef of the Shangri La in Makati in the Philippines is visiting Sydney for the festival and dishing up some fantastic dishes.  If you are looking to sample a new cuisine, try a few more dishes from the Philippines or an expat living in Sydney and craving some home cooked dishes, this is the place to dine.

There was more food than I could sample on this day - but it all looks absolutely delicious. Below is a selection of what's on offer.  All I can say is make a reservation before 15 October and go see for yourself.  I will be definitely looking at the Shangri La in the Philippines when I visit (whenever that will be!).  Thanks to the Shangri La for hosting a wonderful event for the opening of the festival.

kilawing Talaba - oyster ceviche

 

I was very surprised with this dish. In fact it was one of my favourite dishes of the day.  Cold, plump, fresh oysters with vinegar, garlic, onions and chillis

Atchara - Pickled young papaya

Lumpiang Sariwa - fresh vegetable spring roll

Spanish mackarel ceviche

Embotido - minced pork wrapped in crepinette

Adobong Talong - eggplant cooked with soy suace, garlic and vinegar

Itlog na Maalat na may kamatis - Salted egg with Tomato

Green Mango with Bagoong (shrimp paste)

Sinigang sa Miso na Lapu-lapu - Grouper sour broth with miso

 

The grouper was meaty and soft and flaky all at the same time - the sour broth was perfectly balanced

Blue Marlin Inasal - grilled blue marlin with Annatto oil

 

 

Pusit Bicol Express - squid with chilli & coconut milk

 

Ihaw-Ihaw - lamb rump, beef ribs and chicken

 

Ihaw-ihaw is a barbeque grill and today there was lamb rump, beef ribs and chicken.  I only had the lamb and ribs and both were super tasty and tender.  

Callos - ox tripe and Ox feet menudo

 

Always up to trying new flavours and textures - this was a rich stew with a dense gelatinous texture to it.  Hearty definitely - yummy yes!

Steamed fish (I think it was snapper!)

Pata Humbra - Pork knuckled in sweet soy sauce

Suwam na tahong - steamed mussel in ginger broth

whole roasted pig

 

In true Filipino style a feast would not be complete without a whole roasted pig with delicious crackling.

 

Estofadong Dila - slow cooked ox tongue in tomato sauce

 

I'm no newbie to ox tongue - but this was tender and juicy from the slow braise and tomato sauce. 

Pancit Palabok - rice noodle with smoked fish and shrimp sauce

 

Sweet and fishy was the only way I could describe it - fulled by tasty!

Kare Kare - stewed ox tail in peanut sauce

 

I loved this dish - the richness of the ox tail and the thick sweet coating of peanut sauce had me secretly licking my fingers (I was on my best behaviour though)

Sisig bar - cooked to order fresh sisig

 

Sisig is sizzling pork with onions, garlic, chillis.  The pork is specifically pig's ear and jowl but other meaty parts can also be used.  Definitely a winner this dish.

halo halo bar

self serve halo halo - make your own

 

So what is halo halo? - basically meaning to mix - it consists of shaved ice and condensed milk and a mix of whatever dessert toppings you choose - ranging from nata de coco, boiled fruits to kidney beans and topped with purple yam ice cream

delicious taro ice cream with condensed milk and all the bits!