Do your bit for the planet – Earth Hour 2010

March 10th, 2010

earth hourFor one hour, power down your life and do your bit to help the planet.

Now in its third year, Earth Hour will bring together cities from across the world in an effort to call attention to the climate change epidemic. World icons, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and the Sears Tower plunge into darkness for Earth Hour in hopes of making bigger strides to reduce our worldwide energy consumption.

Earth Hour is an initiative started by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in 2007. Originating in Sydney, the event has gone on to include over 1000 cities and will reach new heights this year with three of the world’s tallest buildings, the new Burj Khalifa in Dubai, CN Tower in Toronto and Taipei 101 in Taiwan – going dark for the global event. The actions shown by cities of the world and their inhabitants are crucial to leading a low-carbon resolution to climate change, says Earth Hour Co-Founder and Executive Director, Andy Ridley. “By turning the lights off for Earth Hour, cities are reflecting the aspirations of their citizens as a community that has resolved to take action on global warming.”

Last year, 2.2 million Sydney homes and businesses participated in the event. There are a number of ways that Sydneysiders can take their green initiatives further and make a difference for the planet. Here are some ideas:

  1. Switch off the lights – if nothing else, Earth Hour is about saving energy whenever possible and reducing our need for fossil fuels. Turning off lights when they’re not in use is one of the simplest things we can do to make a real difference.
  2. Limit your showers – Australia is one of the driest continents on the planet, which means we have to be water conscious. By installing a water efficient shower head and limiting our showers to 4 minutes, we can do our part to save one of nature’s most vital resources.
  3. Cold power – when possible, wash your laundry in cold water. Much of the energy used by your washing machine is spent on heating up the water. Line-dry when you can and minimise the use of the clothes dryer.
  4. Go energy efficient – make the switch to low energy light globes. If you’re looking to buy white goods and new appliances, opt for energy efficient models. Energy Star Ratings are there to help you make smart choices about your energy consumption.
  5. Reduce your waste – refuse plastic bags, re-use and recycle what you can. Being eco conscious is about reinventing your mindset to be more aware of unnecessary wastage. Be smart about your lifestyle and spare a thought for our planet.

In Sydney for Earth Hour? Make your trip eco friendly by checking the Quality Hotel Cambridge. We’re encouraging  guests to switch off the lights for Earth Hour and come downstairs for candle lit drinks at the bar – with free nibblies! Here at Quality Hotel Cambridge we make every effort to be energy efficient and eco friendly.

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Hosting a Successful Business Conference

March 3rd, 2010

Hosting a conference demands meticulous planning and preparation but it’s a great opportunity, especially for smaller and newer organisations, to really make a mark in the industry. It gives you the chance to network and engage with others in your field as well demonstrate your expertise and innovation to potential clients and consumers. The key to holding a successful business conference is to plan ahead and to always keep specific goals in mind.

First Steps

First and foremost, make a list of the outcomes you want the conference to achieve. This is probably one of the most important elements organisers need to consider as they brainstorm. Always keep your primary goals in mind as you consider these additional questions:

Who will be the main participants?
Will your conference include delegates from outside of the organisation?
What tasks will delegates be expected to perform and achieve?

You can then formulate the selection of appropriate topics and send out invitations to knowledgeable speakers and presenters.

Next– pick a great venue!

Once you have a great conference plan in mind, it’s time to take action. One of the key decisions you’ll need to make is to decide on a great conference venue. There are a number of points to keep in mind, as the choice of location can make or break your event.

Location Location Location – this is critical picking a great venue, especially if the conference will be held in an unfamiliar city. Check the proximity of the setting to local activities and services. Delegates will be looking to spend blocks of their personal time exploring the city instead of being cooped up in a hotel room. Meanwhile, if your conference is short, lasting no more than two days, a venue close to the airport could be ideal.

Amenities – the variety of Sydney conference venues range from hotels offering function rooms and facilities for small business meetings of four to lecture halls and theatres that will accommodate several hundred delegates. Think about technology and AV equipment. Are there data projection machines and audio-visual aids? Is there internet access?

Transport – if you’ll be hosting your event in the city, such as a Sydney CBD conference, check the accessibility of the venue from the airport as well as public transport availability and overall traffic conditions from main thoroughfares. Delegates should be able to reach the venue without needing a complex road map. If you think delegates will likely be driving to the conference hotel, check parking availability in and around the venue.

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How to Pick a Bold Red and Fruity Blanc – Tips for Wine Tasting

February 25th, 2010

We Australians certainly love a good wine. On average, we individually consume about 21.1 litres of wine a year including local and imported varieties, well ahead of our other English speaking counterparts, including the US and the UK. Meanwhile, we are the world’s fourth largest exporters of wine with South Australia being the most active wine producing state.

So when it comes to our Pinot Noirs, Shirazes, Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blancs, how do we pick that exquisite and perfectly aged drop? Here are some great wine tasting tips for the amateur connoisseur:

Pick the right glass – different glasses are made for different wines in order to emphasise the desired properties. For example, red wine glasses have rounder, wider bowls in order to increase the rate of oxidization or to let the wine breathe. Meanwhile, white wine varieties are quite varied from narrow champagne flutes to wider shallow glasses used for sipping Chardonnay. Generally, because white wine tends to be crisper and served chilled, oxidization is less ideal, so white wine glasses have a smaller bowl and a more tapered shape.

Stop and Smell – our sense of smell and taste are highly interlinked and this is especially true with wine appreciation, where the scent and fragrance of the grape are a quintessential part of the process. You’ll see wine tasters swirling the glass before they a sip; this releases the aromas and allows you to get a good whiff before tasting.

Turn down the heat and keep your cool - Australians overall seem to drink their whites too cold and their reds too warm. A white wine should be served chilled, but not straight from fridge as your tastebuds will be dulled from the cold. While reds should generally be served at room temperature, our hot Australian summers can be too warm for optimum taste. A general rule of thumb for serving wine with dinner is at 20 minutes before serving, take the white wine out and put the red in the fridge.

Match your dish

We hope you can take away some of these great wine appreciation tips. Meanwhile, we invite you to drop into Cambridge Hote which has just launched its new wine menu, including a delectable Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough region of New Zealand and a delightful Cabernet Merlot from Coonawara.

Some great varieties include:

2009 essenze Malbourough Sauvignon Blanc – perfect with King Prawns and char grilled vegetables.
2006 Blockers Cabernet Sauvignon – to go with a bold sirloin steak or quail
2007 Gnangara Cabernet Sauvignon – perfect with roast beef or a beef jus
2008 Lillydale Estate Chardonnay – great complement to a delightful salmon dish
2006 Phil Ryan Signature Shiraz – enjoy it with veal or a delicious duck

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Taking over the F&B department

February 18th, 2010

From the humble student to Executive Chef/F&B Manager :)

Ouch!!!!! I have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming. I can’t believe how wonderful and challenging life can be sometimes.

A couple of month ago, Kevin, our previous F&B (Food & Beverages) manager had decided that it’s time for him to move on, and pursue his dreams somewhere else, and gave his resignation letter to Steven the general manager.

We all got it as a surprise and did not know exactly how things would turn out.

It looked like nobody had a plan that would suit everybody needs, financially and progressively, to match the hotel’s abilities and needs.

For a little while, the F&B department was supervised by Manja, the function and customer relations manager, and to be honest with you, I think she wasn’t very impress with the extra responsibilities that she had now and I totally understand because her current job is already HUGE and she has to do sooooooooo many little (and big, Manja, don’t get angry) things that just keep on piling up into a major and big job. Honestly, I’m not sure that she was aware of all of her duties before she signed up for this position.

Anyway, stopping my praising of Manja, time is ticking and there was no one on the horizon to take the F&B manager role.

Gling Gling… my office phone is ringing. “Itzhak, can you please come to my office?…” Steven asks me.  “On my way,” I reply.

“Sit down Itzhak.”

“Now as you know, we are still looking at all options of getting a new F&B manager to replace Kevin, and myself and the directors thought about the option of handing it to you. What do you say?…”

Wow… If you look in the dictionary for the word overwhelmed, you’d see a picture of me at that specific moment. I did not know if I should smile or cry. One side said “hell ya.. Of course I’ll do it. Great opportunity, resume, money, responsibility, hours” and slowly slowly the other side kicks in and I understand the meaning of this role. … The hours, the responsibility, the headache. And mostly thinking about getting this whole department sorted and back on her feet.

“Can I get back to you on this one Steven?”

“Sure Itzhak, let me know after the weknd.”

Now, it’s not enough that I am busy running the kitchen working overtime and constantly thinking about work (even when I need to think about other things, and I let the cheeky ones to understand that) work was ALWAYS there. So what’s going to happen now? I don’t think I have enough hours during the day and enough brain cells to think about 2 departments now.

I had to consider it very carefully, which I did. I also spoke with my dad, who is a very logical dude, sometimes too logical, what made my life as a kid a bit hard sometimes, but I leave it to a different story, and he said and I quote: “there is NO CHANCE ON EARTH that I don’t jump on this opportunity.”

Ok. Let’s rock. :)

“Steven, I’ll do it.”

It took us about another two weeks to negotiate on the whole contract and decide who is who and what is what.

And there I was, an Israeli guy that came 5 years ago to this wonderful country with so many opportunities, finished his studies about 2.5 years ago, and here I am, Executive chef/ F&B manager of the Quality Cambridge Hotel in the center of vibrant, crazy, unbelievable wonderful city. Sydney.

:)

I’ll leave you with a quick recipe for one of me most popular dishes on my new Retro menu that I’ve just recently launch at the hotel’s restaurant, Café 212.

The old good and respectful, Beef Wellington.

Ingredients:

Make about 4-5 portions, depends on the fillet size.

1 beef fillet.

1 packet of frozen puff pastry sheets.

3 table spoon of Seeded mustard

1 stump of Rosemary Chopped fine.

1 whole egg wash.

20 gr of sesame seeds.

Ask your butcher to clean and portion the fillet into 200gr steaks.

Heat up a heavy pan with vegetable oil. I know that some people think that they will prefer to cook their steak in olive oil, but believe me, it IS JUST A WAISTE OF MONEY.

Olive oil burns in relatively low temperature, and by the time your steak in cooked or even just seared your oil will change his form in to smelly smoke and will evaporate strait in to your kitchen hood. Vegetable oil burns in much higher temp and could keep up with cooking of the steak.

So back to the hot pan, season well your steak and send them strait to the pan. Sear them from all sides. It is important to do so to keep all the yummy juices in side the steak and not on your pan, add the rosemary and finish cooking them in the oven on 180c fro about 10 more minutes. Depends on how you like to eat your steak. I think that in our case, beef Wellington will be served best medium well, so your pastry won’t get soggy from all of the cooking juices when it’s cooked under that temperature.

Rest the meat and cool in the fridge.

On your pastry brush the seeded mustard. Put the steak in the middles and wrap it with the pastry.

Brush with egg wash and garnish with sesame.

Bake in the oven at 180-200c for approximately 12 minutes or until pastry is golden brown.

I serve it with confit garlic mash potato and veal jus.

OMG, absolutely divine.  :)

And if you’re too lazy to make it your self, you can always come to café 212 and try mine.

Satisfaction guaranteed!!!

Talk soon.

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Surry Hills Festival 2010 – Picnic in the Parks

February 11th, 2010

There’s something enchanting about Surry Hills with its eclectic shops, quaint tucked away cafes and tantalising restaurants that will delight your taste buds.  Locals are already in love with the suburb and visitors are always keen to discover its secrets. All in all, Surry Hills has vibrant community atmosphere and everyone is invited to take part, whether it’s enjoying a hearty Sunday brunch, checking out the latest vintage fashions at the Surry Hills markets or joining the Saturday queue outside Bourke Street Bakery.

Central to the community spirit is the annual Surry Hills Festival. Each year, the Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre teams up with local artists, retailers, designers and more to bring you a day of chilled out entertainment, food and shopping. And just for this year, the Festival is moving into the heart of the suburb; Ward Park and Shannon Reserve and nearby surrounds will be hosting this funky affair that attracts over 90,000 revellers each year.

What’s On for Surry Hills Festival 2010

The annual Surry Hills Festival is a primary fund raiser for the Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre, providing funding for the centres community services. This year, festival goers will be treated to live entertainment, a wide assortment of market and food stalls, not to mention the highly anticipated annual Surry Hills Dog Show-off. Local designers, artisans and performers will be given the chance to showcase their collections while community members can bond in a fun and relaxing environment.

This year only, the Surry Hills Festival is moving out of Prince Alfred Park into the heart of the neighbourhood. Ward Park, Shannon Reserve and various other venues across Surry Hills will be joined together for this one off gala event.

Getting There

Surry Hills is accessible by bus, train and light rail and local venues are within walking distance. Ward Park is just a short stroll up Devonshire Street from Central Station and Railway Square. Visitors from out of town can book a room with us to stay close and join in the festivities.  Once you’re there, Surry Hills is the perfect walking suburb as there’s something to uncover on every corner – and plenty of pubs and cafes to take a load off from a long day’s walk.

Date and time: Saturday 10 April 2010, 9:30am – 6pm

Location: Ward Park, Shannon Reserve, Surry Hills and various other venues across Surry Hills (only for 2010 – back in Prince Alfred Park in 2011.)

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Hit the Beach – A guide to great surf and sand in Sydney

February 3rd, 2010

Amongst the many things that Sydney is known for, our beach culture definitely tops the list. Every summer, you’ll find many a tourist joining Sydneysiders and flocking to the eastern shores to secure the best spots throughout the city’s many shores. With over 37 ocean beaches and most within a 30 minute commute from Sydney CBD, here’s a quick guide to some of Sydney’s most popular – and some more secret – beaches for your summer holidays.

Whether you’re a seasoned local or someone planning a Sydney holiday, check out some of the best surf and sand in the world.

Bondi Beach
Bondi would definitely be on the top of most visitors’ lists as a must see in the city. The longest beach in the Eastern suburbs, Bondi is over a kilometre long and features a popular boardwalk running along its length, perfect for a quick jog or an early morning stroll. Meanwhile, the beach itself is usually packed with sun bathers, surfers and families. With some of the best dining and entertainment options along Campbell Parade, it’s the perfect scene to discover – or rediscover – the easy going beach combing lifestyle that dominates Sydney.
Hint: if you’re looking for a slightly less “crazy” destination, head south to neighbouring Tamarama Beach. Smaller and generally cosier with some amazing waves, Tamarama can still get a little crowded and is thought to be a great place for “celebrity spotting”.

Coogee Beach
Another popular beach along the Southern shores, Coogee is a bit smaller than Bondi but is still a preferred option for both tourists and locals. Located on the southern end of the Bondi-Coogee walk, this beach is a great swimming beach with baths at both ends for those who want to avoid the rougher surf. The suburb of Coogee also features a number of great dining and entertainment options along its main strip while Coogee Bay Hotel and the Beach Palace Hotel come alive at night.

Manly Beach
As one of the longest beaches in Sydney, Manly beach is another prevalent destination for tourists and locals alike. From the city, the ferry is one of the easiest modes of transport to the suburb of Manly and offers some fabulous views throughout the trip. Once there, head down the pedestrian strip with its many shops and cafes. You’ll find surfers and families enjoying the 3 km of sand that stretch along the shore.
Hint: just a kilometre south of Manly beach is the little protected area of Shelly Beach. This is a great swimming beach that’s protected from the wind and surf and has been considered one of the easier to find “secret spots” of Sydney.

Palm Beach
Considered the “jewel of the Northern Beaches”, Palm Beach is the picturesque setting for the Logie Award winning series, Home and Away, which debuted in 1997. Sitting along the northern peninsula of Sydney’s Northern Beaches, it’s flanked by multimillion dollar mansions and some of Sydney’s most exclusive real estate. Get there in style by chartering a seaplane from Rose Bay (or you can opt for the more pedestrian route and take a bus from Wynyard station). Palm Beach is an excellent surfing beach and has swimming pools and a number of cafes and kiosks for visitors to enjoy.

And some of the lesser known treasures…

Milk Beach
You’ll find this little gem hidden away amongst the shrubbery of Nielsen Park in Vaucluse. It’s also a popular lesser known viewing spot for the fireworks at New Year’s Eve.

Obelisk Beach
The perfect place for those who want to go sun bathing au natural. There are quite a few nude beaches tucked away along the Sydney Harbour, such as Obelisk Beach near Mosman. You can access the beach via Middle Head and then trekking a bit through the Sydney Harbour National Park. Definitely a great beach for those who aren’t shy about showing off what God gave them.

Let us know of any secret spots in Sydney. Enjoy the rest of summer!

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Check out all the festivities for Sydney Mardi Gras 2010

January 29th, 2010

Sydney is proud to host one of the biggest, boldest and most colourful Mardi Gras celebrations this side of the globe. Every year, fans, performers and supporters flock to Oxford Street to see all of the glitz, glamour and cheekiness that comes with the festivities. Both spectators and performers get into the act, donning their craziest and most colourful outfits for the occasion. This year’s theme is sure to delight – History of the World takes a look at the “sexy and baudy history” of gay culture worldwide. Whether you’re from out of town and are looking for gay hotel accommodation or just a Sydneysider hoping to party hard, here’s a rundown of what to expect at the 2010 Sydney Mardi Gras.

Getting to the Mardi Gras Parade

Time

Mardi Gras celebrations take place between 19 February and 7 March with the big parade on 27 February at 7:45 pm. In addition to the festival and parade, attendees can enjoy a number of other Mardi Gras themed events, including the community Fair Day on 21 February or the highly entertaining Drag Races at Bondi on 5 March.

For the parade goers, it’s best to line up early and claim a good viewing spot as the crowds pile in fast as the evening approaches. The parade starts at Hyde Park and follows Oxford Street and then snakes along Flinders street to Moore Park Rd. Good viewing spots can be found all along Oxford Street and Flinders Street but it’ll be best to get in early to stake out your post.

Highlights

Each year, revellers look forward to new displays of colour and creativity as well as some audience favourites. Dykes on Bikes are definitely a popular crowd pleaser and Lifesavers with Pride has drawn a lot of local and international support. In 2009, 134 colourful floats took part in the parade, making it the largest Mardi Gras parade ever, with performers Tina Arena and Alison Jiear taking the celebrity stage. Heading up the parade was Olympian diver Matthew Mitcham, returning from his recent victory in Beijing. This year promises to be another exciting year and in its usual tradition, organisers will be keeping the celebrity line up a secret to generate more hype about the event.

Getting Around and Staying in Town

Road closures and redirection are put in place during the parade and spectators are advised to take public transport to get to the event. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of out of town visitors descend upon Sydney to attend what PlanetOut calls the best gay event in the world and Conde Nast names as one of the world’s top 10 costume parties. In fact, New Mardi Gras research estimates that the Mardi Gras festivities generate over $29 million in tourism dollars for NSW.

While many hotels try and cash in on the event, there are a number of standout accommodations that cater to Mardi Gras visitors. We pride ourselves in being a gay friendly hotel and would love for you to come and enjoy all the Mardi Gras celebrations with us. Book a night with us.

Be a part of all the action at the Sydney Mardi Gras. We look forward to seeing you there.

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Chinese New Year in Sydney for 2010 – Ushering in the Year of the Tiger

January 27th, 2010

Tiger Chinese New YearSydney is bursting at the seams with great events and entertainment for February and at the heart of the festivities is the largest Chinese New Year Celebration outside of Asia. This year, the community will be ushering the Year of the Tiger and will celebrations include an opening day ceremony in Surry Hills and markets. The highlight of the fortnight will be the extravagant Twilight Parade through Sydney’s Chinatown.

Sydney communities celebrate the New Year

The party kicks off on 12 February 2010, the night before New Year’s Eve. Markets and an opening ceremony are to be held at Belmore Park in Surry Hills near Central station and will feature performances put on by the local Asian communities. The official first day of the year takes place on 14 February, and the night before is a time for families to enjoy a New Year’s Eve feast that always includes traditional foods to promote prosperity, wealth and success in the coming year.

In China, the New Year comes as a time of rest and family, where minimal chores are done and most businesses are closed. Meanwhile, Sydney will be hosting a number of cultural events, with Dragon Boat races on 27-28 February at Darling Harbour and a number of individual community events.

Pivotal to the celebrations will the Twilight Parade on 21 February. After the outstanding success of the inaugural Twilight Parade in 2009 (replacing the traditional day parade of the past years), audiences this year will once again be treated to an amazing spectacle of colourful illuminated floats while performers in traditional dress will wow the crowds.

The Year of the Tiger

In the Chinese Zodiac, the Tiger is considered to be a symbol of bravery and those born in the year of the Tiger are thought to be courageous fighters, charismatic, with strong moral values and are good protectors.

Coming to Sydney

The City of Sydney is honoured to host the largest Chinese New Year celebration outside of Asia and members of the Chinese community from all across Australia lend their support. Events take place throughout the Sydney city area. If you’re taking part in the celebrations and looking for somewhere convenient to stay, Quality Hotel Cambridge is just a stone’s throw away from all the festivities. Book a room for your stay today.

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Love is in the Air – Valentine’s Day Ideas for Sydney for 2010

January 25th, 2010

Chocolates and flowers are always nice, but for those who are looking for something a little different, Sydney offers some great Valentine’s Day ideas for any enamoured couple. For a great date in Sydney – Valentine’s or any time – consider these ideas.

Open Air Cinema
Take in a flick in the great open air. Sydney has a number of open air cinema venues that run throughout the summer. The St George OpenAir cinema sits at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair with a great view of the Harbour. So picturesque – just grab a blanket, snuggle up and enjoy a night under the stars.

A Beach for Two
Sydney has a number of “secret beaches” tucked away along the harbour that make the perfect private getaway. Consider Milk Beach in Vaucluse or Lady Martins Beach near Point Piper and enjoy a day in the sun and surf with your special someone. If you’re feeling particularly cheeky – why not head out to one of the many nudist beaches – including Obelisk beach near Mosman or Lady Bay Beach near Watson’s Bay.

Picnic in the Park
Take in some sun and enjoy the park by packing a romantic picnic for two. Centennial Parklands offers some great picnic spots with beautiful scenery and adorable wildlife. Find a spot near one of the many ponds and lay out a romantic spread.

A Sultry Sydney Cabaret Show
Why not be bold and venture out into the unknown? This is the perfect time to check out our weekly cabaret dinner show where couples can enjoy a delightful meal and have a few laughs. The show takes place at Cafe 212 in the heart of Surry Hills, one of Sydney’s most eclectic suburbs.

Make it a night in
Staying in is the new going out in Sydney. With amateur cooking shows taking over our televisions sets, more and more people are venturing into trying some gourmet cooking at home. Visit a local farmers’ market and get some fresh ingredients to prepare your partner a great restaurant quality meal – and reap the rewards.

oooh la la – what are some of your saucy plans for an unforgettable Valentine’s Day?

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My Life in a Takeaway Box – Retro is BACK!

January 19th, 2010

First of all I would like to wish you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! May all your wishes come true, health, wealth and success.

Now that we got that out of the way I can tell you the new exciting things that are happening in my life.

Last week Steven Gargano, my General Manager, sat down with me to discuss where we would like to take the restaurant in 2010. We had a few ideas, but the best one, and I admit that it wasn’t mine, was to give our guests this old Retro style, that will include new decorations for the restaurant and bar, new menus, and hopefully new uniforms.

We also decided that everything will be in a cinemaish influence.

Stuff like James Bond’s beef Wellington, and Steve McQueen’s beer batter fish will be on our menu. A Casablanca’s giant Oreo cookie and ice cream sandwich and Robert Redford’s bomb Alaska and much more of that yummy stuff. And all wrapped up in a retro art deco and a smiley wait staff. If I wasn’t scared from an OHS lawsuit, I would buy all our waiters skate shoes to even get you more in the mood.

Getting Retro pictures wasn’t an easy task. God, sometime I wish I had a personal assistant to take care of these things. I was sitting down next to my computer for maybe 4 hours choosing the right pictures that we would like to have, the right pictures that as soon as you’ll see them you’ll go “wow I remember this movie… haha I loved that guy…” and when you see the menu you’ll have flashbacks from your childhood when your mum promised you that if you do your homework, and you are well behaved when the uncles and aunties are coming, you’ll get that Delusions cookie sandwich. Mmm.

Yes, I was only born in late 70’s, but in Israel I guess the retro was a bit late, and the cookie sandwich was popular all through the 80’s. Kind of thinking of it, it still is. And on a hot day on the Mediterranean beach, you will hear a distant voice from a guy that must be burned already from the sun, walking with a white foam box hanging off his shoulder, yelling‘’…Ice cream sandwich…’’, or how we call it, Cookilida.

Oh I miss the Mediterranean beaches. Yes, the Australian beaches are good and pretty, but on the Mediterranean, it’s a whoooole different story. The water temperature is perfect, there are bars on the beach, and I mean on the beach, like on the sand. Playing chillout music during the day and as soon as the sun goes down it will switch to electronic music, in some places. PARTY ON!!!!

Smoking hot girls, playing Matkot, which is one of the most popular games in Israel. Using a wooden racket and a rubber ball we play something that will remind you of tennis.

Anyway, sorry I got a bit carried away with some old good memories.

Back to Retro, IT IS HAPPANING. Our successful Cabaret nights are also getting a retro theme, with new costumes and new shows, I welcome you all to jump in to the Cambridge time machine, feel free to dress accordingly, but just make sure that if you’re planning on wearing an afro wig, you might get complains from guests that are behind you and cannot see the funny show, cause these things are HUGE!!!!

I think I will leave you with a great recipe for a cookie and ice cream sandwich.

Hopefully it will bring some good memories and will make you come back for some more.

For the cookies, to make 20 of them.

  • 125g butter, chopped
  • 200g dark chocolate, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 3 eggs, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
  • 3/4 cup plain flour
  • 3/4 cup self-raising flour
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 cup walnuts, roughly chopped

Method

  1. Place butter and chocolate in a saucepan over low heat. Stir constantly until melted. Remove from heat and transfer immediately to a bowl.
  2. Add sugar, eggs and vanilla. Mix well. Sift flours and cocoa over mixture. Stir to combine. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm enough to roll.
  3. Preheat oven to 180°C. Roll heaped tablespoonfuls of mixture into balls and place 3cm apart on lined baking trays. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, swapping trays after 8 minutes, or until biscuits are cracked on top. (Cookies will firm when you’ll cool them but will stay fudgy and yummy inside.)
  4. Cool on trays for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the sandwich, just layer good vanilla ice cream in between two cookies, maybe 3-4cm wide, wrap with clean foil and shoot straight into the freezer.

I’ll recommend you to wrap each one individually, so it will not get the flavors from your fridge, and can be served individually to your kids, of course only if they behave. :)

Bye for now, and hope that you’ll join us for a spin in the Cambridge time machine.

Itzhak.

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