~An Evening with Rick Stein~and new boots~

I have been thoroughly spoilt again......

this time my Son gifted to me for my birthday a weekend at Rick Stein at Bannisters for an

~Evening with Rick Stein~

A little corner of our very generous rooms by day......the sun was shining brilliantly on this cool Winter's day......

Above pic is the Sun going down over the ocean taken from almost the same spot

The main room

This very special Event featured a long table dinner on the Sunday night hosted by Rick

Rick actually came along and greeted each table.

The evening started with Canapes and Champagne in the Garden Room followed by a 4 course meal of delectable seafood at the Rick Stein at Bannisters Restaurant

We went down to the Pool Bar and had some oysters shortly after arrival

I might mention here we ate all weekend.......

Above and below 2 of the wines for the Evening......all perfectly matched

To start we had a Salad of Lobster, Avocado, Green Beans and Foie-Gras

The texture of the Foie-Gras was as smooth as velvet

This was followed by Blue Eye Trevalla and Mussel Chowder with Celery Herb

and OMG check this out......A Meuyrette of Silver Dory with Caramelized Eschallots, Bacon and Mushrooms

Chocolate Mousse with Hazelnut Dacquoise and Raspberry Sorbet.......the Sorbet was perfectly nice and tarty!!!

Next afternoon we walked up the hill to Rick's place for a cooking demonstration from his latest book travelling and cooking his way through India

Upon entering the house we were greeted with a glass of bubbles and then offered a water bottle during the afternoon.........the Perfect Host!!!

We watched and had 3 samples of his cooking

The first one was 'My Breakfast Bhaji'
A mixture of Potatoes, Carrots, Onions and Tomatoes and various Spices
Served with a Fried Egg

followed by 'Hot Smoked Salmon Kedgeree'......Rick used Smoked Trout from the Snowy Mountains in this case

and then last but not least 'Madras Fish Curry of Snapper, Tomato and Tamarind'

And here's Rick with me and Mr Armchair signing books and menus for us

This time I bought Rick's Seafood book and the Mediterranean Escape one

After Rick's we went down the end of the road through a walking track which overlooked Mollymook Beach

Another sunset shot

Next night for dinner we had

 ~Warm Shellfish with Parsley, Chilli, Olive Oil, Garlic and Lemon Juice~

Clams, Prawns, Mussels, Oyster, Scallop, Scampi and Blue Swimmer Crab

One of the best if not the best Seafood Platter I have had......

Followed by Whole Fried Snapper with a Chilli Sauce, Crisp Basil and Cashew Nuts

Dessert 

A couple more scenes

Afterwards we met DS James

He and his Partner Danelle gave us much needed respite and had JoJo for 2 nights with them

She had a great time.......we had a great time and ate out way through the whole 2 days!!!

And I got to wear my new boots that Mr Armchair gave me for my birthday......WOO HOO!!!!

THANK YOU so much James and Danelle for this utterly delicious weekend

and Thank you Bannisters and Rick Stein for looking after us!!!

I would love to think that we will go back again another time......I'm sure we will!!!

~Lunch with Adriano Zumbo at Rick Stein at Bannisters~~

We are back at Rick Stein at Bannister's again this year...

we were there earlier this year to celebrate Mr Armchair's special birthday....

(read about it over here)

This time for Lunch and a Book Signing with none other than the one and only Adriano Zumbo

The table

The Menu

The view

The wine

A Salad of Lobster, Avocado, Green Beans and Foie-Gras

Grilled Fillet of Barramundi with Clams, Peas, Asparagus and Parsley

Nothing is too much trouble at this Restaurant......my version is a gluten free one......the difference between this and others is the Sauce

Often I have experienced gluten free version meals at other places......yep, all without the sauce

I even had gluten free bread as opposed to other places......they just leave you with an empty plate

The Macaron Master himself......Zumbo giving us Question and Answer time

Signing his books 

Even got a pic of him and me

Amaretto Creme Brulee with New Season's Berries

The Macarons for our table

and here they are with his book as a backdrop

Turning the yellow one over it was all golden......how beautiful I thought

We had a lovely lunch......met other Zumbo fans......JoJo was cared for by Respite Care......what a great  day to kick back and be fussed over

Thank you so much Rick Stein at Bannister's......you've done it again

Howcome everytime we go there I get addicted to seafood all over again!!!

Bon Appetit......Dzintra

Rick Stein at Bannister's...A Break For Us!!!

February seems so long ago now...

We had a very very special weekend thanks to our our Son James and his Partner Danelle...

Last year for Mr Armchair's very significant birthday they wanted to give us a weekend away INCLUDING having JoJo whilst that was happening...

And blow me down we started to plan it all and I broke my arm...

this put me out of action for weeks...

Mr Armchair was run off his feet caring for me and JoJo...

and 12 months later we were finally able to have our weekend away...

And what a time it was...

but I must admit it took getting used to just being a couple a while...

JoJo is with us full time and we are her Carers...

for us to be able to enjoy a few hours together of just chatting and going out requires planning for Respite Care...knowing when we are going out...when we are coming back...

nothing is spontaneous for us...

sometimes is is just easier to stay home and not stress about it all...

The place we all agreed on was Rick Stein's at Bannisters...

James had to approve our choice as he wanted somewhere really nice and special for us...

After we arrived we headed off down to the pool area for a drink and a bit of lunch...

pic above is at the pool area...

Driving into Bannister's...

Ocean view from our room...

On the balcony...

Caesar Salad...

Chips and Aioli...

Some swimming in the edge pool...

It started raining in the late afternoon but it was still nice and warm...

Inside a corner of the Restaurant where we had dinner...

The wine...

I had informed the Restaurant a couple of days before that I was on a gluten-free diet...

The menus are quite large and they are printed every day on thick paper with a copy of the fish below on the other side...

I wasn't made to feel any different from the other guests which can often happen in various places...

the Restaurant had printed up a gluten free version...

I thought that this was the most thoughtful gesture...

Every attention to detail was attended to...

We were chatting with the Hostess at Front of House and told her why we there and when we sat down we were presented with complimentary champagne...

The most unusual butter...a fishy one but oh so delicious...

together with gluten free bread...they just did it!!!

 Braised Fillet of Cone Bay Barramundi with Truffle, Slivers of Potato, Mushrooms and Truffle Oil...

Chips and Melange of Vegetables...

During the evening...

Both desserts had Happy Birthday on them as the dinner was a celebratory birthday one for us both...signed by Rick's Head Chef.. Julian Lloyd

We were so full but still managed to fit in breakfast...eggs for Mr Armchair

and bruschetta for me (on gluten free toast)...and they remembered!!!

A light shade made of small bottles...

Entrance into the Restaurant...

Took a walk down to the beach and came upon a dedication...

Cocktails...mocktails...we certainly ate and drank!!!

And then it was dinner time again...

Fig, Prosciutto and Rocket Salad...

A salad of Lobster, Avocado, Green Beans and Foie-Gras...

Bannisters Fish Pie...Salmon, Snapper, Blue Eye Trevalla, Scallops, Mushrooms and Prawns in a creamy Fish Veloute Sauce with Truffle, gratinated with Breadcrumbs and Parmesan...

Indonesian Seafood Curry with Ling, Skate, Kingfish, Squid and King Prawns...Served with Green Bean and fresh Coconut Salad and Steamed Rice... .

And of course we had to have dessert!!!

Many Awards on the walls...

We even bought some fabulous books...Rick is coming back next month and I think I will take them up there to be signed by him!!!

A little collage I made...prior to the evening meal olives are served!!!

We love olives and regularly do this here at home too now!!!

Thank You, Thank You so much James and Danelle...we had a ball!!!!!

We have little Ryan coming here for a few days in the holidays...

tonight I will cook Pork Belly...

So here's to a wonderful weekend of family and celebrations!!!

I am so Blessed!!!

Bon Appetit...Dzintra xo