Food

Instagram is such a happy place where sharing photos with friends and new-found friends in the blogosphere is so easy.  How I wish this app is available to other phones (exclusive for iPhone) so that I’ll get to see the wonderful photos of all my snap-happy friends.

I may not be able to blog about stuff that happens in my daily life these days but I get to document the little things that make my everyday significant thru instagram and twitter.

It’s been awhile since I shared some daily happenings in my life (although I try to incorporate something personal in every blog post I write, whether it be a food blog or a travel blog) so here’s a few photos that described my past week.

Monday was a hot day and as the temperature when up to 34 degree Celsius in the city, I decided to refresh myself as I walk from work to the train station when I passed by the Happy Lemon store.  I’ve received a few recommendations to try their beverage because I’m fond of Chatime, so I gave it a go.  I ordered a regular cup of their Green Tea with Rock Salt and Cheese and the staff was friendly enough to teach me how to drink it.  He said that patrons usually drink the cheese on top of the drink first before they close the lid.  So that’s what I did.  The cheese had a bit of sweetness and it tasted alright.  However, I didn’t like the drink as a whole.  It didn’t taste right to me so I threw it way after just a few sips. 

My Week in Instagram


My plant bloomed a flower this week. I’ve had this plant as a gift from one of my workmates four years ago.  The plant sits on top of a shelf above me so every time I get stressed, I look up and my plant is there to give me a little cheering up.  My plant has bloomed flower(s) since I took care of it but it’s only now that it bloomed again since I came back from vacation in April.

My Week in Instagram


I received the final stuff to complete my phone needs.  The Husband ordered tons of screen protectors which I received on Wednesday morning.  On Thursday, I received the black cables I wanted to use when I’m at the officeThe white cables of the iPhone gets dirty easily so I wanted a black one which I can leave connected to my office computer. It also saves me from forgetting to charge when I’m at work.

My Week in InstagramMy Week in Instagram


Once a week, I get to stop by at my barista friend’s cafe and everytime I visit him, he gives me a cup of hot chocolate and a piece of Caramel Kiss.  I think one of “life’s must-haves” is to have a barista friend who knows how you like your coffee or hot chocolate for you.  My barista friend knows that I like my hot chocolate with less sugar and piece of marshmallow in it.  And he also knows that I love their cafe’s Caramel Kiss so he packs a piece for me to go with my Hot Chocolate.

My Week in InstagramMy Week in Instagram


The Husband was in his sweet tooth mood on Thursday night and came home with a slice of Double Chocolate Cake. I only had two little bites of this sinfully delicious chocolate cake and downed it with a cup of Peppermint Tea.

My Week in Instagram


I was on a 5-day work week this week and I’m glad I made it to Friday.  I was in no mood to dress up so I was in a rugged/sports ensemble: sneakers, jeans and shirt.  To make my Friday at work happier, I brought packs of Swiss Miss and gave some to my friends.  They loved it!  It sort of my treat to us for being at work on Friday.

My Week in InstagramMy Week in Instagram


We’re all in a festive mood this week as we prepare to celebrate Melbourne Cup on the 1st November.  Melbourne Cup is the race the stops the nation every 3:00pm of the first Tuesday of November.  It is the biggest and most celebrated horse race in the country.  At work, we have the Melbourne Cup Sweeps where we place bets on the $1. $2. $5 and $10 sweeps.  We will have a Melbourne Cup barbeque lunch and afternoon tea this coming Tuesday. 

My Week in Instagram


As I was about to go home on Friday afternoon, I received a sweet email from one of my trainees.  Like I said in instagram, I’m grateful and blessed to have a job that I love.  I’ve always believed that one must love what they do for their job to love them back.  When it comes to what I do everyday, it’s all about being generous with time and details; it’s about having the patience to deal and listen to people.  My job entails having a big heart for SERVICE without expecting anything in return.  When I see my trainees finish their trainings and be able to do their job efficiently, I feel very fulfilled.  To hear from them and receive appreciation from them is always a big bonus.

My Week in Instagram


To take away my Happy Lemon nightmare, I just had to end my week with my favourite beverage from Chatime: Brown Rice Green Milk Tea with Pearls.

My Week in Instagram


Our little pigeons (they’re not babies anymore) celebrated their two-week old on Friday.  To friends, tweetmates and instagram mates who have been following my shared photos, they have seen our daily adventures with these cute ones since Day 1 (from being eggs to hatchlings).  I plan to share a separate post on their growth.  I’m just waiting for them to grow up and fly away so my story will be complete.  According to google, they will be able to fly on their first month.  I’m excited for them but I know I will be a bit sad not seeing them in our balcony at the end of the day.

My Week in Instagram


Korean BBQ night on a Friday night!  This week we decided to not eat out so on Friday, we had a quiet night in and had Korean BBQ in our balcony.  We found this electric smokeless grill in the shops on sale a week ago so we bought it.  Korean cuisine has been a part of our home now that I even learned how to cook Korean dishes (that’s how much we love the cuisine) and having a smokeless BBQ grill is just the icing on the cake.  So there, no need to go out for Korean BBQ plus the Husband and I enjoy our dining experience and bonding inside the comforts of our home.  It was a perfect way to end our busy and productive week as we get to have good and fun conversations over a delicious meal.

My Week in Instagram

If you have instagram and care to find me (my instagram ID is @ibyang) and let’s share good vibes over captured photographs.

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On the birthday of the Husband in September, I decided to bring him to Adriano Zumbo’s The Lab at Rozelle for breakfast.  The Husband has a sweet tooth, a chocolate fiend and one who loves to bake (yes, all rolled into one!), I thought he would enjoy starting his day at a place where I can indulge his love for pastries and desserts and be able to watch pastry chefs create magic in the kitchen.

The Lab of Adriano Zumbo



Every Adriano Zumbo Patisserie has a concept.  His Manly branch is just a place where you buy take away treats while his Rozelle branch had a concept of a laboratory where customers can sit in bar stools (there were only 9) overlooking the kitchen.  The wall are adorned in graffiti-like paintings.


The Lab of Adriano Zumbo
The Lab of Adriano Zumbo


Other than pastries and desserts, they offer breads, sandwiches, meat pies and beverages.




The Lab of Adriano Zumbo
The Lab of Adriano Zumbo
The Lab of Adriano Zumbo
The Lab of Adriano Zumbo



Water stored in laboratory bottles are available at one corner of the cafe.

The Lab of Adriano Zumbo



The Husband ordered a cup of Cafe Mocha and the Apple Turnover.  Crunchy pastry with sweet juicy apples inside. 

The Lab of Adriano Zumbo
The Lab of Adriano Zumbo
The Lab of Adriano Zumbo



I indulged in a cup of Cafe Latte and their Almond Croissant.  Perfect chewy pastry enveloped in almonds. 

The Lab of Adriano Zumbo
The Lab of Adriano Zumbo
The Lab of Adriano Zumbo


We loved their deliciously-made coffee.  You can taste the richness of the coffee with almost no bitterness and amazingly, no aftertaste.  Really smooth, which is how coffee should be.

The Husband enjoyed his breakfast as he watched Adriano’s pastry chefs produce hundreds of Macarons and make pastries and cakes.  It’s like being in a Willy Wonka movie! 🙂

The Lab of Adriano Zumbo
The Lab of Adriano Zumbo



Visiting Adriano Zumbo’s patisserie will never be complete without bringing home some treats.

The Lab of Adriano Zumbo



We enjoyed a few of his Macarons,  a slice of brownie and a peach tart with almonds at home.

The Lab of Adriano Zumbo
The Lab of Adriano Zumbo
The Lab of Adriano Zumbo


Adriano Zumbo – The Lab (map)
114 Terry Street
Rozelle, NSW 2039

Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday
6:30am till 4:00pm

Saturday & Sunday7:30am till 4:00pm 

Closed on Public Holidays

Situated in the heart of Myeongdong, this cafe is one that can’t be missed. 

Caffe Pascucci (Seoul, Korea)



Cafe Pascucci is a local cafe in Seoul that serves Italian Coffee.  The cafe also serves cakes, pastries, sandwiches and gelato.

Caffe Pascucci (Seoul, Korea)



We visited Cafe Pascucci for afternoon tea on our final day and had our usual Cafe Mocha (for the husband) and Cafe Americano (for me).  Their coffee was rich, a little on the strong side but smooth nonetheless.

Caffe Pascucci (Seoul, Korea)



We weren’t really hungry due to a heavy lunch at a Japanese restaurant that day.  How I wish we could have some Gelato Honey Toast but we instead opted to share a slice of their creamy, smooth Cheesecake.

Caffe Pascucci (Seoul, Korea)


 
The cafe was located on the second floor of a building so we had a good view of Myeongdong beneath us.

Cafe Pascucci (Seoul, Korea)



The Husband took photos from downstairs while I checked messages online and enjoyed my cuppa.

Wanderlust Wednesdays: Shopping at Myeongdong (Seoul, Korea)


Caffe Pascucci (Seoul, Korea)


Cafe Pascucci is located at Rodeo Street, Myeongdong (near SC Bank)


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At first we just enjoy the art of cooking your food while we eat, chat and drink with friends.  That’s how we started loving Korean Cuisine.  Nowadays, Korean food is part of our lifestyle.  I cook it at home (I learned how to cook Bulgogi, Tuna Pancakes, Kimchi Stew and Kimchi) and eating Korean cuisine when we dine out has become a regularity.  We are constantly on the lookout for great Korean restaurants and in one of our quests, we found Seoul-Ria.

Restaurant: Seoul-Ria (Sydney NSW, Australia)


Seoul-Ria is considered one of the best Korean restaurants in Sydney.  Located at Goulburn Street, you need to get into an elevator that will lead you to Level 2 of the building and as the door opens, voila!  Welcome to Seoul-Ria!  It can accommodate up to 140 diners but during busy hours, be prepared to queue up and wait.

Restaurant: Seoul-Ria (Sydney NSW, Australia)


It was busy when we arrived on a Thursday evening after work.  The place wasn’t full but we had to wait a few minutes for the staff to clear a table for us.

Restaurant: Seoul-Ria (Sydney NSW, Australia)



From the Korean staff to the KPop videos played on TV, we get transported to a “Seoul-like” atmostphere.

Restaurant: Seoul-Ria (Sydney NSW, Australia)



Their attentive staff served us a bottle of water and banchan (side dishes) as soon as we were seated.

Restaurant: Seoul-Ria (Sydney NSW, Australia)


Restaurant: Seoul-Ria (Sydney NSW, Australia)



Since it was our first time, I can’t wait to try their Kimchi Pancake (Kimchijeon).  We were surprised to see how huge it was when it came.

Restaurant: Seoul-Ria (Sydney NSW, Australia)



It was tasty, thick and filling.  All you can taste in this beautiful dish is the Kimchi. Also, it wasn’t as spicy as I thought it would be.  We only finished a quarter of this dish and had it for take away. 

Restaurant: Seoul-Ria (Sydney NSW, Australia)



I was specifically craving for Black Bean Noodles that night and this dish did not disappoint.  Perfectly-cooked noodles with blackbean and pork sauce. 

Restaurant: Seoul-Ria (Sydney NSW, Australia)


It looked like Champorado (Chocolate Porridge) hehe.  This dish was very saucy but I truly enjoyed my noodles.

Restaurant: Seoul-Ria (Sydney NSW, Australia)



The Husband had the very colourful and healthy Bibimbap.  Steamed rice topped with vegetables, beef strips and egg.

Restaurant: Seoul-Ria (Sydney NSW, Australia)


Restaurant: Seoul-Ria (Sydney NSW, Australia)

Enjoyed our meal with their beautiful dishes.  We are definitely coming back for more.
 

Seoul-Ria Korean Restaurant 
Level 2, 605-609 George Street
Sydney, NSW 2000
Phone: 9269 0222/9269 0272
Monday to Saturday: 11am to 3am
Sunday: 5pm to 3am

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Received this on the mail today:
Sydney Tower Eye + Max Brenner = 23 September Launch!
If you’re wondering who “Avigail ” is…yes, that is me!

The New Sydney Tower Eye

Perfectly timed for September school holidays, and coinciding with Sydney Tower’s 30th birthday the new Sydney Tower Eye viewing experience is set to re-launch on September 23. The new Sydney Tower Eye is bringing the best views in Sydney to brand new heights.

Sydney Tower Eye + Max Brenner = 23 September Launch!
Starting from the base level of Sydney Tower the new Sydney Tower Eye offers guests breathtaking views of one of the world’s most beautiful and captivating cities and provides the ultimate introduction, or reintroduction, to Sydney.

Each visitor will begin their Sydney Tower Eye experience with a prelude to the amazing views they’ll experience above – a preshow of fascinating facts and history about Sydney Tower’s construction and Australia, coupled by sweeping images of iconic Sydney.

Next, visitors will enter the new 4D cinema – featuring the first 4D film ever produced in Australia. The 4D cinema experience uncovers a new dimension to Sydney with spectacular footage transporting you across Sydney Harbour, its famous coastline, iconic landmarks and events that are integral to the city. The engaging film experience is taken to the fourth dimension with evocative in-theatre effects including wind, bubbles and fire – a perfect way to get to know the inspiring city of Sydney.

Up at the top, from the renovated Observation Deck, visitors will be completely surrounded with sky-high views that stretch more than 80km in any direction. They will be able to see from the Blue Mountains in the far west, to Botany Bay in the south, to Sydney Harbour in the north and the Pacific Ocean in the east, and everything in between.

Sydney Tower Eye visitors can take their experience to a higher level and join the SKYWALK. This premium experience allows visitors to soak up exhilarating, outdoor, open-air views 260m above ground level, on the roof of the Observation Deck. Visitors will be guided by experts who know the ins and outs of Sydney during a full 45 minute tour around the top of Sydney’s highest peak – Sydney Tower.

Price: Adult $25 and Child $15 for the SKYWALK premium experience add $40
Combo tickets also available combining entry to Sydney Tower Eye with Sydney Aquarium, and/or the new WILD LIFE Sydney experience, and/or Oceanworld Manly starting at $50 for an adult and $30 for a child.
Enquiries: +61 2 9333 9222


Meet the Bald Man!

Sydney Tower Eye + Max Brenner = 23 September Launch!


Max Brenner is opening his 25th Chocolate Bar in Australia and will be in town to celebrate with all things chocolate! The Bald Man invites you to watch, smell, taste and feel his chocolate love story.
Sydney Tower Eye + Max Brenner = 23 September Launch!

Share the excitement, meet the Bald Man himself and celebrate in Max style with chocolates, chocolates and more chocolates on the opening day of 23 September, 6-8pm. 
Indulge in Max Brenner’s ultimate chocolate experience. Be careful though, you might find that the experience is highly addictive!
Sydney Tower Eye + Max Brenner = 23 September Launch!
Date: 23 September
Time: 6 – 8pm
Location: Level 6, near Sky Pheonix
Thank you Westfield Sydney for the invite!
(Text and photos courtesy of Westfield Sydney)


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