Bali - Ku De Ta

sorry for the lack of post lately as i was going through a very very stressful period with job applications/interviews and organising my next holiday!

im still waiting for the outcome but i've received some good news already :)

im so glad i dont need to study now, but i love to learn, but i hate to study in a 'school' setting. 

anyway, right now i've started to focus on cooking healthy food, good fresh ingredients, more organic meat/products and will focus more on blogging!

for people who want to save $$, please download some finance/budget planning apps on your iphone or ipad. i downloaded iexpense on my ipad and we saved so much this month! but that means i have to cut down on dining out as i was shocked how much i spent on dining out! so from now on there will be more home-made recipe posts on this website, healthier and saves me so much money just by cooking at home more. 

this is one of the 10000 backdated posts that i have in the 'drafts' category. 

Ku De Ta is one of the most famous bar/restaurant in Bali for tourists.

The design of the restaurant was really modern, full of beautiful people. I miss Bali so much, everyone there was so cheerful and relaxed because they are on a holiday, and my trip was really fantastic with so much good food and gorgeous restaurants

The restaurant and bar is situated right beside the beach, and the waves crashing at the background set the relaxed ambience of the restaurant.

very classy beach restaurant and truly one of the highlights during my bali trip

they served us complimentary bread with olive oil dip for starter. the bread was warm and soft

drinks were great as well

the food was seriously good, this steak taste much better than it looks, i dunno why the photo turned out quite bad, lol. the steak was grilled to perfection and tender inside

my AMAZING SEAFOOD grill, fresh, well seasoned seafood with lots of dipping sauces, delish!

the dj right in the middle of the alfresco area

lots of daybeds for people to sip their cocktails and chill out. these day beds were always occupied day and night, didn't get to lie in one

the food was very reasonably priced, i think my seafood platter was around aud$60 which is really good value! Expect your mains to be around aud$30-$60

Swan Valley - Elmars in the Valley

Best weekends are always spent having a picnic with my dogs (yes im lame), breakfast with friends at some nice cafe full of funky people or a mini roadtrip to look for some good food!

So this time we had a mini roadtrip in search of good food.

Having been to duckstein a couple of times, we've decided to give Elmar's in the valley a try in swan valley.

I've heard this cosy restaurant serves the best German Food in Perth.

Made a reservation the day before and the waiter promptly showed us to our table.

The interior is like a warm cosy house with a slight 'canteen style'. People here are just sitting around having a casual drink and they all appeared so relaxed, just like myself.

So relaxed i've decided to get some kickback beer to suit the occasion.

Kick Back Weizen 4.8% alc

A traditional Bavarian Wheat Bier made using 50% wheat malt with a thirst quenching burst of banana. With hints of vanilla and a subtle finish of aromatic hops coming through on the finish -$5.00 for small

I could taste a bit of banana in this it was cold and refreshing!
  

Pork Sausage (Grilled Bratwurst) with German Sauerkraut and Potato Mash - $17.50

The sausage was PERRRRFECT with fluffy light mash. I even liked the Sauerkraut which was not too sour, and tasted really pleasant. I never liked Sauerkraut but this one was different. The sourness was more subtle than 'full on'.

Pork Shank (Schweinehaxe) -Elmar's Specialty

Pickled and Roasted Pork Shank with German Sauerkraut and Fried Potatoes -$39.90

My partner ordered this, fairly large portion so light eaters should share this. Everything was nice about this dish, the potatoes, Sauerkraut and the tender juicy pork shank with mustard. Yummyyy

Bread and Butter Pudding (Kabinett Pudding)

Homemade Brioche, Layered with Sultanas and Vanilla Pod Custard, Served with Connoisseur Vanilla Icecream - $12.50

 We were so satisfied with our meal here, we decided to just have coffee and dessert here as well. Our original plan was to go to another cafe in swan valley for dessert. The Bread and Butter pudding was light and not too overwhelming. The taste was just right, very delicious!

The Bratwurst was so delicious I had to buy some home. Just walked to their 'small goods' section to grab some sausages before we pay the bill. So convenient. These sausages were very affordable and cooking them at home will save us so much money :)

Wieners?

Bought some spicy ones, garlic and just the original bratwurst. I cooked one of them and it was just as yummy!

  

To make a reservation online click here: http://www.elmars.com.au/Valley/bookatable.php

Website: http://www.elmars.com.au/

Opening Hours:

Monday and Tuesday - CLOSED

Wednesday and Thursday - 11am to 5pm (depending on trade)

Friday to Sunday - 11am to 10pm (depending on trade)

Contact : (08) 9296 6354

Address: 8731 West Swan Road

HENLEY BROOK 6055

High Tea at Peninsula Tea Gardens

Think about having afternoon tea with dainty sandwiches and homemade scones at a converted old farm house, tucked away from the city with beautiful views. I have found the perfect place for this and it is Peninsula Tea Gardens.

Walking through the nature

The trail led us to a beautiful restaurant/cafe overlooking the peaceful and serene river. With white furnitures, champagne glasses, cute children running around the garden, it was such a beautiful sight.

I have already reserved a table before hand and the staff was already waiting for us. He was really polite and brought us to our table.

 victorian style, soooo beautiful and the ambience was relaxed

Parisian Afternoon Tea

Lots of groups of ladies chatting over their afternoon tea set, over their 3 tiered trays of goodness. This is the perfect place for a girl's day out! (although my partner and I enjoyed it a lot too)

This was what we ordered for $39 per person. It was such a filling and satisfying meal. Perfect sandwiches, moist and warm scones, and gorgeous cakes!

Our afternoon tea also comes with free flow of tea. My partner has Earl Grey and I had Buddha's Tears (white tea)

The white tea was just so FRAGRANT and it goes perfectly with a bit of sugar. I strongly recommend this tea for tea lovers.

The table setting was immaculate as well. Beautiful teapots and teacups. Felt so pampered :)

Reservations are strongly recommended for weekends, high tea at $38 per person, mid-week for $33 per person.

I will definitely go back to this place again, strongly recommended for a romantic day out, girls day out, or just to have some tea and cakes!

Click on this link for their menu: http://www.peninsulateagardens.com/menu.html

Location: Tranby Farm, Johnson Road, Maylands

Website: http://www.peninsulateagardens.com/

Rating: 4.5/5

CNR James + Lake

Short note: Dear readers, i apologise as i have not updated this blog as frequent as before as I was busy with my exams. I just finished my FINAL exam paper in my LLB and my 5.5years of university is finally over. WOOHOO!! However, I will be going to Singapore for a one month internship. Don't worry I still have a lot of perth posts that I have backlogged and i will still continue posting on this blog. I will also share my food adventures in singapore with all of you while I am there! So don't think i've neglected this blog because there are no frequent posts. =) take care everybody and stay warm this winter. 

I decided to check out this funky and modern looking cafe in Northbridge one morning before work.

Haven't been to Northbridge for quite a while but this was my usual dinner hangout when i was in high school. Northbridge has changed quite a bit! This area where the cafe is, is newly developed and looks spectacular. Perth's chinatown really needs more developments like that, it looks so neglected and abandoned. There is a large tv screen too for morning news (which no one was watching or nobody cares) and i heard it will display all the world cup matches! I think there is a potential that northbridge is going to be a hip place and people will discover the beauty of it! -- i think it may even be happening now.

This cafe looks beautiful and spacious from the outside, and inside it gives a very casual feeling with modern architecture. Magazines and newspapers were provided and there is also a big alfresco area for coffeelovers to sit and people-watch

can you see the menu on the board? 

Once we stepped into the cafe (it was still empty as it was really early) we were greeted by a warm welcome, the owner (i presume) said "good morning", what a friendly dude, great start to the day! 

My Latte (Five Senses Coffee)

Heart-shaped pattern on the froth - this is what i need every morning so i will not be so grumpy at work. LOL Anyway, they use Five Senses Coffee ( i was shrieking with joy when i found out because i didnt know they serve that until i saw their menu). I was also watching the barista during the coffee making process (it was very obvious he takes pride in making coffee and everything was really detailed). He poured the five sense coffee beans into the machine (freshly grind beans in your cup every time!) and the milk is good quality too as i used to work in iga, im pretty sure! not the usual milk we buy at home. Then he proceed to make the coffee presentable and plays with the design on the froth. This is definitely a GREAT place for coffee and it was velvety smooth and is of perfect temperature. While we were having breakfast, a few regulars came to take away coffee, obviously with the good service and coffee, this place is a hit. Can't believe i didn't find out about this place sooner.

Hot Chocolate

The hot chocolate was rich and delicious, perfect drink for the cold windy morning

Mushrooms and Bacon on ciabatta bread with fetta on top $15.50

The serving was really generous in this cafe. The mushrooms were big and fresh and was a good combination with the fetta

Eggs Benedict $14.50

One of our must-order breakfast favourites is eggs benedict. The hollandaise sauce was served at the side for this one, and the toast was crispy and fresh out of the oven.

The Sink - $19

Free range eggs, bacon, mushroom, tomatoes, sausage, potato gratin on sourdough toast 

My friend's over which is the 'big breakfast' kinda dish where you just want everything onto your plate. haha the serving was really generous, looks much bigger in real life.

This is such a good place for coffee and breakfast. Their coffee was amazing and the staff were attentive and cheerful, it was a cafe bursting with positive energy. Perfect place to start your day :)

I can't wait to go back for my next cup of coffee.

Location: 44 Lake Street, Northbridge (opposite time zone)

Rating: 4.5/5