Old story ...

Just remember a story happened more than ten years ago.....

When I was a primary student, I got new pair of leather shoes every year. My mum bought me shoes from a local shop in Sheung Wan. I still remembered the shop is "Shan Da Shoes shop" and the salesmen there were quite old. Even though I cannot pick the where I shop but my mum allowed me to choose the style.

This habit got changed when I turned to be 11. My parents decided to get me a better quality shoes. We went to a department store and got a pair of leather shoes with cute bow in front. I remember that was around two hundreds dollar (which was very expensive to me). I really love the shoes. I treasure them as it was one of the best thing I ever owned.

I was only able to wear the shoes for a week at school and something bad happened. I was the prefect at that time and I needed to open and close the gate during the school hour. I closed the gate as usual but something got stuck that day and made me push very hard. I could not handle the force and the gate scratched my foot (the gate is a large one which at least two meters high and wide)....that means my shoes also get a big red scratch from the paint (I cried immediately not only because of the pain and also the paint....

Even though my parents did not scold me but it caused bad memory for me. I felt bad to buy nice and expensive thing for a long time....Of course I start buying luxury stuffs again but I left a sad memory that I do not think I will forget...

Birthday dinner @ Aria

Last Sunday was Tao 's birthday and we decided to celebrate it at Aria Restaurant in Brisbane. It is one of the best Australian restaurant that we wanted to try for long.

We ordered the tasting menu which comes with a 7 courses.

TUNA
seared loin and tartare of tuna with pear and daikon salad and ponzu dressing
2009 Logan M Cuvee Brut Sparkling Rosé, Central Ranges, New South Wales

JAMON
with tomato, dried olives, shaved jamón ibérico and toasted brioche
2010 Albariño De Fefiñanes, Rias Baixas, Spain

SCALLOPS
seared and served with merguez sausage, mint, chilli and rice crisp
2007 Petaluma Hanlin Hill Riesling, Clare Valley, South Australia

CONSOMME
Peking duck consommé with duck dumpling and Asian mushrooms
Henriques & Henriques Verdelho Madeira 15 Y.O., Madeira Island, Portugal

PORK BELLY
twice cooked Bangalow Sweet Pork belly with Asian spiced black bean sauce
and an apple, radish and crackling salad
2008 Babo Sangiovese, Tuscany, Italy

RABBIT
assiette of rabbit, corn purée, mushrooms, baby corn and a hazelnut jus
2007 S.C. Pannell Nebbiolo, Adelaide Hills, South Australia

CAKE
pistachio cake with yoghurt panna cotta and pistachio ice cream
2003 Isole e Olena Vin Santo, Tuscany, Italy

I especially like the scallop, Jamon, pork belly and the dessert. The scallop is fresh and nicely cooked. The Jamon is very soft but not too salty. The toasted brioche is a bit sweet and it served as the great combination with the tomatoes and the Jamon.(Highly recommend). Another signature dish is the pork belly. Crunchy skin and tasty meat..nothing much you can ask for.
I do not really like the duck dumplings but it is because I dislike duck ...so I am not objective enough to judge this one.

The dessert is nicely presented. I especially like the panna cotta inside the egg shell..love the idea..love the texture ..love the taste.

Lovely weather with lovely breakfast

Another breakfast @Gun shop Cafe. I miss the corn bread so much and would like to try again. Both of us ordered the salmon with cream eggs and corn bread. The salmon is so fresh and nicely cooked with the eggs. I really enjoy the dish especially the corn bread. It is a big difference compared to the one I tried last Friday.

Tao ordered the strawberry milkshakes. The color is so nice and the strawberry is very sweet. Love it..