Public Bar

This is a post about Public, a divine new bar I visited last week. In a series of fortunate rather than unfortunate events, Miranda and I unexpectedly made our nightcap destination. For some reason,      last Thursday evening was one of those otherworldly nights I've rarely enjoyed in Brisbane, let alone in the CBD. Despite how much I keep harping on about the change of seasons, I can honestly say that this spring the city seems rejuvenated. Not only that, all of the new places that have opened up are revitalising my wanderlust hungry spirit, too. Brisbane is truly becoming a world city. 

But back to how we came to visit Public. After pasta in an alleyway, Miranda and I ventured down to Burnett Lane to check out some of the newer bars that have opened up there. We were lucky enough to stumble in on a cosy little scene at Super Whatnot. I wasn't prepared for how small the space is, yet we were both curious and lined up for drinks. Having already imbibed a flask of house red over dinner we were a bit disappointed with the selection of by the glass vinos (read not ready to pay $12), and decided to wander further afield. For some reason I was convinced that Public was in the vicinity, but the map said otherwise so we started walking up George Street. After some time, the only sign of life that far away from Queen Street was a topless bar, but we persevered and above our heads, Public appeared.

After catching the escalator upstairs, we were greeted by front of house staff and seated at the bar. Amidst a mixed crowd, we were able to see both bar and kitchen, as well as a street view that added to the already glamorous space. With a twist on modern luxury, Public is a bar that in decor alone feels like the Hogwarts library with masculine sophistication. Needless to say, we were both charmed by the surrounds and found it difficult to choose wines from the leatherbound menu. Fourtunately, our bartender was relaxed in his approach and our eventual choice of Bordeaux Burgundy was poured expertly into their namesake glasses. Such a purposeful yet seamless experience  more than secured the bar in our opinion. The additional bird and swivel chair elements were moody and comforting; I'll let you guess which elicited which response. In three words, Public is chic, understated and luxurious. Plus, candleabras are a touch I always love. Can't wait to go back for the epic promise of Kentucky Fried Duck. Thanks for the new memories, Public.

I very happily noted that there is $10 Happy Hour on selected cocktails, Monday to Thursday, 4pm-6pm.

I've also heard that you can book a table.     

Flavour Limbo

It's Wednesday and I've been hungry all day. It seems that we're in an inter-seasonal limbo, and though I'm craving things that are fresh and zesty, however I somewhat crazily long for warmth that I can balance with plentiful amounts of salad. These are some of the dishes that have fulfilled me recently. I've been making them with all of my usual tweaks, as well as serving them with epic amounts of leafy greens. Please also find some visual support from other meals we've enjoyed in the last few weeks. Clearly, cooking is both passion and obsession. And, eating. Nom!

One, Slow-cooker Cuban Black Beans. I found that this most favourite of winter meals works in springtime, too. Instead of bacon, I like to add diced chorizo, which I find lends itself well to the earthy black beans. As Australia doesn't have the most extensive selection of Mexican ingredients, I've been replacing the chopped green chiles with diced jar peppers and adding core flavour spices: cumin, coriander and chilli. Serve with baby spinach, grated carrot, fresh tomato and coriander salsa, Greek yoghurt and Valentina hot sauce. Or, just these*. 

Two, Warm Pumpkin and Brown Lentil Salad. I used to make this salad so much that I got sick of it, but with a fading winter palate, it's been reintroduced to our meal planner. Thankfully, this is a salad that ages tastefully, makes friends with all different cheeses (including haloumi) and is hearty enough to enjoy alone. That said, it definitely goes down more than happily with a roast chicken dinner! I like to add diced garlic at the sautéeing of the red onion, plus a more than generous glug of balsamic vinegar.  Again, also a winner with chorizo*.

Three, Mushroom Enchiladas. These enchiladas were such a tasty surprise when I first made them. Firstly, cottage cheese is more of a breakfast standby for me, but strangely enough manifests powerfully as a savoury ingredient in this dish. Secondly, I found that sautéeing the mushrooms in an extra-garlicky seasoning gives extra flavour. Finally, a drained can of corn adds sweetness as well as bulk to the finished product. Serve with shredded lettuce, lots of guacamole and jalapeños, and you'll have a great vegetarian meal. I've also mixed cooked, shredded chicken into the filling, and found that it was such a tasty combination barely any made it into the tortillas.

What are some of your most craved recipes? *Sooo, I'll eat anything with chorizo or spice of some sort.  

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Our dishes, clockwise, top-left start:

Egg and mushroom Ram Yun soup with Kimchi;

Spanakopita with lemon potatoes, quinoa tabouli and Greek salad;

Chicken salad with avocado, roasted capsicum pesto and raita;

These oven potato and sweet potato chips (so good!) with lime aioli and wasabi aioli.  

  

Sunshine Revival

Change of season gratefulness is more or less here. It's become somewhat of a ritual to observe the creeping warmth and the promise of spring. Habits resurface and doors remain open. We moved the table out to the deck and I sit there, my green glass bottle of yellow chrysanthemums my only company as I happily plough through work. Reinvigorated, our morning coffee won't be reheated to boiling for much longer. And soon we will switch to muesli, forgetting about porridge altogether for these months. We discuss whether there's any more meals in the comfort category that we'd still like to make. Yet we abandon that conversation at the idea that it will soon be too hot to think of food, and the only touch we'll bear is hands held under the chrome fan. My daydreams are of the beach, yet every night I go out on the balcony and try to savour that last bite of cold, even as I wince and reach for a cardigan. But the next evening, as the sun goes down, I run along the water with my jumper tied around my hips, the cool air blotting the sweat that only a singlet makes bearable. The tangy promise of mosquitoes is there, and I stop, breathless, to pick the jasmine that is blooming already. It's neither bittersweet nor unremarkable. It's now, and I am conscious of the child inside me that remembers the heat that will blow across the country as the day ages. My soul won't forget that feeling. These moments are coming.

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Image via 

Dreamweaver

I just bought this stunner, but it's done nothing to sate my craving for all frocks hailing to the '60s, white cotton lace alias. With beauteous sleeves, in-built ventilation courtesy of the moth-wing weave, and just the right amount of bohemia, this obsession only seems to gain momentum. For now, while I wait for my goodies to arrive, I'll continue my intensive window shopping spree. Already I am imagining that fabric being the only thing I can bear on my skin during the heat of Brisbane's long summer days.

Ps, if vintage isn't as appealing to you, the Whistles pieces on Asos are rather glorious, on sale, and definitely a worthwhile investment. 

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One, Two, Three

(clockwise from left)  

Blood Bright

I realise that I haven't been entirely steady in my posting here recently. While I haven't been as inspired  or creative in the last few months, it's become apparent that this lack of enthusiasm has extended to most parts of my life. In an effort to reignite energy in all areas, I've undertaken the most serious health and fitness mission of my adulthood. I mentioned here that, as of July 1st, I was going to run a cumulative total of 500km by New Year's Day, 2013. So far, I've run 39km, which -- though a little behind what I'd planned to achieve at this point -- still feels amazing.

Moreover, my awareness of what my body needs and what I want has progressed significantly. Previously, we'd made marked changes to create weekly meal plan, however maintaining them was a hurdle that we weren't overcoming nearly as well as we were maintaining our punctual Nando's Cluck For Your Buck date. Needless to say, something had to give, and in this case we fortuitously received a huge gas bill and my work hours were cut, thus removing that extra $40 from our peri peri fund. Also, one of my girlfriends alerted me to the My Fitness Pal app and also mentioned the quantitative repercussions of that much chicken.

At this point, I have so much more to write, and thankfully, I'm finally composing in my head again. Before, I'd do anything to avoid Blogger and when I hadn't clicked into my Dashboard for a week or so, it became easier to pretend than type a few vague sentences and save to draft.

Until I come back, with more sharing and ideas, I'd love to put you on to this superbly analysed post by Moorea, and also see if you relate?

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Image via

It's good to feel bright again. 

Tales Of Passion

I tend to post a lot of movie trailers on here. The main explanation for that would simply be that I adore anticipating the movie as much as watching the full-length feature. For the last six months or so, we've inadvertently made it a habit to log onto IMDB and get lost in trailer after trailer, until it's unsurprisingly way past midnight. I did just that by myself yesterday and in a predictable twist of typical tear-jerking emotion immediately had a well-forged lump in my throat that just kept those salty streams running down my cheeks. I've always been a more than competent crier, but I've come to love that rush of emotion, although I generally try not to force it. I seem to cry out of happiness and gratefulness, as well as some sort of premeditated bliss; particularly with music. When I've talked to other people about it, they've said that they don't really cry in the same way, and perhaps not as frequently. Since reading this just now, I feel like I've found my answer to those conversations, that yes, life is more than just good. From now, I think that I'll embrace Carissa Gallo's perspective that my tears stem from the feeling that, "Sometimes I just wonder if my heart will break from joy."
 

Ps, I realise it's not a trailer, but this Isabel Allende video may have brought on another wave of emotion last night. Let me know if you watch it, and whether her stories move you?