SYDNEY - - I decided it wasn't Melbourne, it was me. I was so bummed about the crappy weather that I almost let it keep me from having a great time.
But I bounced back and now I'm in Sydney and it's great. But one more thing about Melbourne...
The MJ drink (as created by the aforementioned Writer and bartender Clare):
Maker's Mark bourbon
Grand Marnier
a touch of fresh lime juice
tonic water
two mint leaves, muddled a bit
a bit of brown sugar (added last and stirred in)
served in a rocks glass that's rimmed in a mixture of lime zest and white sugar.
I don't know if it won the drink contest at Manchester Lane and if so, whether they'll add it to the drink list, but if you're ever in Melbourne...
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Wanted: one wingman
SYDNEY - -Ladies, what's the fastest you've ever been asked out on a date? I mean, gone from just meeting a guy to him asking for your phone number with the stated intention of asking you out on a date?
How's less than five minutes??
Yep, I think I've found my favorite bar in Sydney. It's called The Establishment and it's loaded with the suit-and-tie crowd (personally, my favorite flavor). Anyway, I hadn't even made it to the bar before David approached me and told me that he thought I was beautiful and HAD to take me out and could he have my number??
Apparently, David was leaving soon, but said we'd have lunch on Monday. (I doubt it 'cause I plan to be on the beach at Manly, but anyway.)
I bought a drink and it ended up being the only one I would pay for that night. Met up with some youngsters who invited me to join them on one of the northern beaches on Saturday (they'd arrange for my transportation). Um, well maybe.
While I'm being chatted-up by the kids, some guys across the bar are blowing me kisses!!! No shit!
Where's Firecracker when I need her?!?!
How's less than five minutes??
Yep, I think I've found my favorite bar in Sydney. It's called The Establishment and it's loaded with the suit-and-tie crowd (personally, my favorite flavor). Anyway, I hadn't even made it to the bar before David approached me and told me that he thought I was beautiful and HAD to take me out and could he have my number??
Apparently, David was leaving soon, but said we'd have lunch on Monday. (I doubt it 'cause I plan to be on the beach at Manly, but anyway.)
I bought a drink and it ended up being the only one I would pay for that night. Met up with some youngsters who invited me to join them on one of the northern beaches on Saturday (they'd arrange for my transportation). Um, well maybe.
While I'm being chatted-up by the kids, some guys across the bar are blowing me kisses!!! No shit!
Where's Firecracker when I need her?!?!
Monday, November 13, 2006
Weather to post by
MELBOURNE - - For those of you who are wondering how I'm finding time to post when I should be on vacation, don't worry. My posts will be less frequent starting tomorrow when I go to Sydney.
Melbourne was quite a shock after the heat of Port Douglas since it is COLD HERE!!! Okay, the Chicagoans are shaking their heads, I know. So it's not COLD, but it's about mid-50s with a pretty impressive wind. After 85 and hot sun, you can imagine my disappointment with this weather.
The cold weather has driven me inside, for shopping, dining, drinking and, of course, internet surfing. Hence the posts.
Melbourne was quite a shock after the heat of Port Douglas since it is COLD HERE!!! Okay, the Chicagoans are shaking their heads, I know. So it's not COLD, but it's about mid-50s with a pretty impressive wind. After 85 and hot sun, you can imagine my disappointment with this weather.
The cold weather has driven me inside, for shopping, dining, drinking and, of course, internet surfing. Hence the posts.
The Waiters' Restaurant
MELBOURNE - -It's a place where a request for wine is answered with a question, "what color?"
Fancy it's not.
The menu is on the wall - - sans prices. There are 30 entrees available (mostly pasta) plus five appetizers and about half a dozen dessert choices. The ambiance is closer to my mother's basement with its fake-wood paneling, so I'm not worried about it being expensive. This is not your typical Melbourne eatery.
The waiter (yes, only ONE) is a 60-ish man who moved very quickly and adeptly around and between the 16 tables (15 of which were filled by the time I left), taking orders over the top of his glasses slid halfway down his nose. Until the 15th table sat, I never saw him write anything down.
Of all the meals I've eaten in Melbourne, it's the first restaurant to give me bread and water without charge.
And my wine - - red, thank you very much - - in a juice glass.
Fancy it's not.
The menu is on the wall - - sans prices. There are 30 entrees available (mostly pasta) plus five appetizers and about half a dozen dessert choices. The ambiance is closer to my mother's basement with its fake-wood paneling, so I'm not worried about it being expensive. This is not your typical Melbourne eatery.
The waiter (yes, only ONE) is a 60-ish man who moved very quickly and adeptly around and between the 16 tables (15 of which were filled by the time I left), taking orders over the top of his glasses slid halfway down his nose. Until the 15th table sat, I never saw him write anything down.
Of all the meals I've eaten in Melbourne, it's the first restaurant to give me bread and water without charge.
And my wine - - red, thank you very much - - in a juice glass.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
And now for something completely different
MELBOURNE-- When I first arrived in Melbourne, I resented it. I resented Melbourne for not being Port Douglas. For not being hot, sunny and mellow like my beloved PD. For not having that no shoes? no worries! attitude of PD.
But, just like people, you can't compare places. So, in search of the comfort of familiarity, I went to Manchester Lane, a jazz club where I enjoyed a great dinner and fun live music a few years back.
My evening was one like I never had in PD. I was drafted into a partying group of 20-somethings who invited me to come out with them tonight to some bar in Brunswick (?). While chatting with the bartenders (mostly female, so nothing there), I was approached by a young black woman who told me that I give off a great vibe and would I like to learn about white witchcraft. Um, huh??
Meanwhile, my bartender buddy Clare, had decided to name a drink after me. Apparently, it's scotch, Grand Marnier and ginger beer (ale) served in a glass with a sugared rim. Since I had been drinking kir royales (champagne and chambord) all night, I decided to come back another time to try "my" drink.
Partying with kids, white witchcraft and a drink named after me...Welcome to Melbourne!
But, just like people, you can't compare places. So, in search of the comfort of familiarity, I went to Manchester Lane, a jazz club where I enjoyed a great dinner and fun live music a few years back.
My evening was one like I never had in PD. I was drafted into a partying group of 20-somethings who invited me to come out with them tonight to some bar in Brunswick (?). While chatting with the bartenders (mostly female, so nothing there), I was approached by a young black woman who told me that I give off a great vibe and would I like to learn about white witchcraft. Um, huh??
Meanwhile, my bartender buddy Clare, had decided to name a drink after me. Apparently, it's scotch, Grand Marnier and ginger beer (ale) served in a glass with a sugared rim. Since I had been drinking kir royales (champagne and chambord) all night, I decided to come back another time to try "my" drink.
Partying with kids, white witchcraft and a drink named after me...Welcome to Melbourne!
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