Amazing Grace

Through many dangers, toils and snares,

I have already come;

'twas grace has brought me safe thus far,

and grace will lead me home.

Unlike the famous song, the Grace we ended up last Friday, was not so amazing as promised. As part of the 'Crave Sydney International Food Festival', this restaurant advertised with some pretty amazing sounding lines: Indulge in a sumptuous feast of authentic Malaysian cuisine, with fresh aromatic herbs and ingredients. Savour delightful recipes from succulent seafood, tasty meat dishes, to delectable desserts.

So of course, we didn’t expect to find rubbery sate, ‘not quite Nigella’ rice dishes and indefinable blue jelly things for dessert. But fortunately we came through danger again this time. Richard was just best buddies with our toilet the day after. Finally! For once it was not me, poisoned by Asian food! Now that is, for a fact, more than amazing. It’s stunning!

Like the view we had from the Orbit Lounge Bar, our second stop for the evening (see pictures below). Sharply dressed we entered the building and hit the elevator button to Floor 47. The sliding doors opened and there it was: a jaw-dropping view and fancy cocktail menu. Bright lights, big city.... and a Cosmopolitan, please. SATC 2 was rubbish, but this gave me instant Carrie fever again.

Mauro – unlike us - was still hot for the Asian flava’ and picked ‘The Burning Monk’. No White Russian, Margarita or Sex On The Beach. No, a monk on fire. Basta. The name itself should have rung his alarm bell, but it wasn’t until our Italian mate put the cocktail glass to his lips, that he got the look as if he swallowed a Madame Jeanette (what was probably the main ingredient). I think this was a seriously good moment for [burning yourself in] protest: 19 dollars for a liquid pepper!

Anyway, you get it by now, this night had it all: it was hot, it was cool, and it gave me back my Carrie fever. So the next day I retreated from the jewelry battlefield. And now I’m finding myself again – admitting: my alarm bell did go of when I found myself crying and binge-eating lately, watching Julie and Julia 10 times in a row. For the ones who are not so into dowdy ladies movies - or afraid they will suffer severe image damage while renting - here's a peak:

Yes, I ignored all the signs, because I didn't want to quit. But sometimes you just have to face your limitations. E.g., me becoming a chatterbox salesperson. I like COOKING! And EATING! And WRITING! What would you think if I work my way through Jamie's Kitchen on this blog? ....... Soooo 2004? Shiiiit, anybody has a brilliant - 0riginal - idea? Leave a comment and save my Julie-like sad life!

Allright, enough about my painful infatuation for 'New York city girl turns into successfull writer' stories . So let’s wrap this one up with a Carrie quote: ‘I like my money right where I can see it... hanging in my closet’. Correction, not that one. This one is even more striking today:

‘As we drive along this road called life, occasionally a gal will find herself a little lost. And when that happens, I guess she has to let go of the coulda, shoulda, woulda, buckle up and just keep going.’ Okay, switch gear and take another route. Point taken.

Cheers! Speaking of which, for anyone who is dying to taste that Burning Monk, check out the Orbit Cocktail List for some mad hot flava’ in ya mush!