Date at Tetsuya's

Never have I ever indulged in an almost 4 hour leisurely meal at a restaurant, and completely immersed myself in the bursts of flavour and texture in every single mouthful.  THAT is the dreamy experience that is Tetsuya's degustation.

I couldn't help but giggle with delight like a little child, as I sipped on my wine on my starved stomach and anticipated the experience that was about to begin.  Overlooking the tranquil Japanese Garden setting... it's an unlikely hidden escape away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

With such elegant service that never falters in it's promptness and informativeness, we were so well looked after by the classy waitstaff.  And with the arrival of each dish so beautifully and colourfully adorned with it's tasty morsels and decorations, we savoured every minute and mouthful. 

Each dish exudes delicate and clean Japanese flavours combined with French techniques, and you learn to appreciate the beautiful balance of various ingredients and flavours.  A Date at Tetsuya's is a MUST for anyone who wants to go on a true journey of flavours, not just a meal.... but a MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE.

Yummiest, chewiest sourdough from Sonoma Bakery

Complete with generous lashings of truffle butter including ingredients such as: Tetsuya's truffle salsa, Reggiano cheese and ricotta

Chilled pea soup with mint ice cream

Pacific oysters with rice vinegar and ginger ('Wow' was all he could say)

Marinated yellow-fin tuna with Shishito pepper & garlic chips

Scampi tail with chicken liver parfait & walnut vinaigrette

Terrine of cabbage, green apple & caramelised onion

Confit of petuna ocean trout with shaved fennel, unpasteurised ocean trout caviar

Tetsuya's AMAZING signature dish - our favourite

Breast of quail with quail leg rillettes

De-boned rack of lamb with sheep's yoghurt & kale

Pione grapes with grape sorbet, bread & butter pudding

Chocolate pave with cream cheese ice cream & cinnamon twigs

It was SooOooo GOooOod...

Petit four (creamy caramel filling encased in chocolate wafer type coating - Yum!)

Tranquil escape at Tetsuya's

I didn't want to leave

Sure hope to see him again... one day

Tetsuya's

529 Kent St, Sydney NSW 2000

9267 2900

http://www.tetsuyas.com/

Be my Valentine

When it comes to love, romance... anything mushy and lovey dovey... I'm all up for it!  And with Valentine's Day nearing ever so quickly, I wanted to share that Kikki-K has some GREAT gifts that you can bundle up all your romantic memories in. 

This treasure pictured above is a really thoughtful 'Love' memory book. Each page begins off with a phrase, and it's up to you to finish off the sentence about your partner.  Some include;
- 'The first thing I noticed about you....',
- 'Thank you for....',
- 'One item of clothing of yours that belongs in the bin....',
- 'Your most romantic gesture was....'
- 'I love it when you.....' 

You'll even find a cute quiz on how well you know your partner. 

Plus you can get creative by adding photos, doodling drawings in it... whatever adds your personal flair.

So if you know someone who appreciates what's sweet and sentimental, or you simply want to pour your heart out... go and get this!  Many years from now, when you're an old, married, shrivelled and wrinkled couple it'll be heart warming to look back onto.

Check it out here at the Kikki-K website.

Any other Valentine's gift ideas?  Share!

PS: 1 more sleep until Tetsuya's!

It's not chocolate, but it's good ... bliss balls

Being a lover of soft, chewy, moorish snacks that are on the healthier side... these bliss balls hit the spot.  Yes it's not quite chocolate but a much healthier treat and still tastes delish!  There are SO many bliss ball/raw snack recipes that go heavy on the dried fruit which I'm not a fan of but this recipe has the real nutty kick which I love.  And better still you can whip it up in 5 minutes.

Choc Peanut Bliss Balls - makes 12

 Ingredients:

2 tablespoons peanut butter

3 tablespoons maple syrup

2 tablespoons honey

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons cocoa powder (if you prefer a richer chocolate flavour add more)

2/3 cup almond meal

1/2 cup desiccated coconut

1/3 cup extra desiccated coconut

Instructions:

Mix all of the above ingredients (dig in and get those hands sticky and messy). Then roll about 1 tablespoon's worth of batter into small balls and toss in coconut.  Then refrigerate and voila.

NOTE: You can always get creative with other flavours.  Such as omitting the cocoa powder and instead adding 1 tablespoon of cinnamon powder instead.  And you can experiment with other nut spreads like tahini or almond or cashew spread too.

PS: 3 more sleeps until Tetsuya's!

Loyal Pooch

© 2012 Saya Style

This gem of a photo is the newest addition to my 'Pretty Joys' page.  I came across this ADORABLE pooch on the weekend and fell in love.  

When I think dogs, I think unconditional loyalty.  The sad but sweet, true story from Japan about the Akita dog called Hachiko... says it all. 

In the 1920's - 30's this precious dog Hachiko, became nationally known because of it's incredible loyal love for it's owner.  With patience and purpose, Hachiko would greet his owner upon his return....EVERY DAY at the same time and spot outside the Shibuya train station.  But about a year later, his owner never showed up at the station because he had suddently died.  And 9 YEARS on from that day... for EVERY DAY that followed, Hachiko would still loyally return to the station hoping to see his owner at exactly the same time and place.*

Dogs are just purely gorgeous.  And even when you're having an OFF day they'll be sure to greet you with their tail wagging.... without judgement or grudges.  They're just happy for you to be YOU and to be close to them.

"The more people I meet the more I like my dog"

-Unknown

"My goal in life is to become as wonderful as my dog thinks I am."

- Toby & Eileen Green

Statue of Hachiko outside Shibuya station

*Full story from Wikipedia - 'Hachiko'

Child's pose.... the relief

© 2012 Saya Style

To anyone who does yoga, Child's pose is sheer relief and permission to REST.  During a class, it's incorporated between challenging and painful poses and often you just want to stay lost in it because it's everything comforting, relaxing and rejuvenating.

When you find yourself agonizingly holding that pose whilst shaking, aching and grasping onto every second until the teacher FINALLY says 'release'... the relief that comes at that instant is a delicious indulgence in complete rest and emptiness.  All of us who have done it know that this 'Child's Pose' moment is like bliss within emptiness whilst your body nurses it's aches and pains... and you're breathe is louder than ever.

So take rest... and while on the topic of being 'a child', why not add a little childlike colourfulness or goofballness (whatever you like) to your day and let go of that overly serious scrutinisation of everything.  Pure and simple views of a child are sometimes all you need to see things right. 

"Take rest: a field that has rested gives a beautiful crop" - Ovid

"Every child is an artist.  The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." - Pablo Picasso

 "It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child." - Pablo Picasso

© 2012 Saya Style

More Miche please

© 2012 Saya Style

I am obsessed with sourdough bread.  Finding the best sourdough in Sydney has become somewhat of a mission of mine and in the midst of my journey I discovered my ultimate favourite.... Sonoma's Miche Sourdough. 

Their miche is full of chewy, sour goodness with a hint of malty sweetness...this authentically rustic loaf is a MUST for anyone seeking out gourmet bread for the table.  It is seriously good!!  Toasted or untoasted with a generous spread of vegemite and avocado and salt and pepper is heaven for me.

Or for the non vegemite fans, the recipe below is a great starter or snack and be sure to have people digging in for more.

Sonoma boasts a long list of hatted restaurants and cafes serving their delish bread and you can buy loaves at many health food and gourmet supermarkets like Thomas Dux, About Life in Balmain and Bondi's Health Emporium.  For full info check out their website! http://www.sonoma.com.au/

And their very own Sonoma cafes are definitely worth a visit... with their Alexandria cafe a personal favourite of mine (especially with Zumbo goodies adorning the display cabinets too).


Haloumi Bruschetta on Miche - serves 4

Ingredients:
8 tomatoes, seeds removed and diced
1/2 red onion finely chopped
8 basil leaves roughly chopped
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
300 - 400 grams Haloumi cheese sliced
1/4 cup caramalized balsamic vinegar
4 thick slices miche bread

Instructions:
Toss together in a bowl the diced tomatoes, red onion, basil leaves, salt and pepper and a splash of olive oil.  Heat more olive oil in a fry pan and make sure the heat is on 'high'.  Add haloumi slices and cook both sides until beautifully golden brown.  Then remove the haloumi from the heat and lightly toast the miche slices... try and move quick because haloumi is so much nicer freshly cooked!

Once bread is toasted you can slice them into smaller pieces if you like.  Then spoon over tomato topping onto the toasted miche bread and drizzle with caramalized balsamic vinegar.  Finish it off with a slice of haloumi on top.  Seriously yum.

PS.  I used Haloumi as a treat for my partner as he goes ga ga over that squishy salty goodness.  But I'm more a feta kinda gal..... and as a variation this recipe would definitely be great with feta crumbled on top too.

Which way?

'You have your way.  I have my way.  As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way... it does not exist.' - Friedrich Nietzche

I came across this quote yesterday and I am loving it. How many of us are so insistent and adamant that the way we personally do things is the rock solid 'right way?' And ofcourse anyone else doing things differently are just plain wrong! 

It makes me think of my childhood Japanese friends who were naturally born left handed... which to their mother's was a disgrace.  Often when I'd visit their homes to do our homework together or have dinner, their strict Japanese mothers would deliberately train them to hold their pens and chopsticks in their right hand because traditionally in Japan the right hand is the 'right way, correct way and only way.'  To those mothers, the left hand was out of the norm, so in another sense wrong.

At the end of the day we're all just the way we are. No one's right or wrong.  So next time there's an occassion when someone is taking a tedious route in the car; eating their steak overcooked with the wrong sauce; wearing clothes that simply do not match or even just washing the dishes wrong... know it's just their way and not the wrong way.

Simply Quinoa - delicious and nutritious

© 2012 Saya Style

This is one of my all time favourite and reliable recipes... perfect as a side dish or if you're like me and easily satisfied with vegetarian food.. perfect on it's own for a light lunch.
It's good to know that this humble food with a rice like consistency, is packed full of nutrients and is uniquely high in protein along with having a low GI.  Most people think it's a grain but it's actually a seed!

Saya's Delish Vegetable Quinoa - serves 6

Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa (rinsed)
2 1/4 cups water
1 large onion
2-3 garlic cloves crushed
1 heaped tablespoon dried basil (or thyme or rosemary).  Mixing in some fresh herbs is good too.
1 punnet cherry tomatoes cut in halves
1 red capsicum diced
4 heaped teaspoons Massel vegetable stock powder (if you prefer light flavours reduce to 2 or 3 teaspoons)

Instructions:
Add quinoa and water into a large pot and bring to the boil. 

Then stir in all other ingredients and reduce temperature of stove to bring down to a gentle simmer.  Keep the lid of the pot off and stir occassionally whilst cooking.  Cook gently from anywhere between 20 - 30 minutes.  Basically until all the liquid has been obsorbed (little spots or holes appearing on the surface of the quinoa is a good indication of this).

Then remove from the stove and put the lid onto the pot.  Let it sit for 2 minutes then fluff quinoa up with a fork and you're ready to dig in!

Keeping me challenged

© 2012 Saya Style

Yoga - Challenging your strength, flexibility and the chatterings of the mind.... it's bound to hit your weaknesses head on and test how far you're willing to persevere.  That's why I love it so much.... it tests your individual weaknesses and in the process you discover how truly strong and capable your body is… a great tool in getting to know yourself.  Your body's strength will always surprise you in the most challenging of poses as long as you focus and push beyond your 'mental boundaries'.

Persevering to remain fully mindful on every touch and movement whilst sweating, aching, and challenging every joint and muscle.... the outcome can be frustrating or freeing... whatever you choose it to be. 

STRENGTH is my weakness and often my arms, legs and everything else will be shaking with exhaustion... begging for those long agonizing seconds to pass.  Oh and falling over?...no problem... I'm good at putting on a show for that.  One yoga teacher I knew would radiantly smile with delight every time we'd lose our balance and ungracefully thump to the ground.  He told us to be proud of every 'crash landing'  because it proved we were challenging ourselves and GROWING by pushing beyond our comfort zone.  To hold a simple pose with ease and grace doesn't compare to the commitment and strength to fumble through a difficult pose ungracefully. 

Yes... I actually LOVE being in that place of imperfection in my practice because it makes me more eager and hungry to keep on growing.

I definitely recommend giving it a go and perservering. You'll really get to know yourself.

Welcome

© 2012 Saya Style

Welcome to my blog everybody.  I hope to share with you all things that add a splash of joy to any of my senses.  From my infatuation with indulgent delicacies to inspiring quotes and ideas to my passion for yoga.  And anything that grows or helps you grow is without a doubt a love of mine.  May these things even in some small way add a touch of inspiration.
 

A happy new year marking new beginnings.  Probably by now most of us have forgotten the spectacular bursts of fireworks and are lamenting at the 'back to reality' routine with the holiday season finished.  I will be sure to make the most of 2012 with a long list of big and small goals set to go.  From yoga teacher training to putting in extra effort to keep in touch with loved ones and staying healthy healthy healthy!  All the best for staying on track!.... oh and a few hiccups along the way just means we're human so just keep climbing.