Deformed Cucumber

I am heading to my friend's house (Dennis & Marg) down south for dinner tonite. Purposely had light lunch to make extra room for dinner as they religiously provide us with tons of of great food.

Dennis & Marg grow most of their herbs & vegies, ranging from lemon, mint, basil to chillis. On the top of their own herb/ vegie garden collection, they subscribe themself to this vegie man that delivers 1-2 boxes of mixed vegies/ fruits in weekly interval. For years this vegie man never fails to supply only the freshest ingredients to this family. I wish I can have this luxury.

Dennis is blessed with green thumbs, any dying plants can survive in his hands. The backyard is a mini Emergency ward for sick plants. I lost count on the number of sick plants that he adopted from everyone. The whole backyard, mini rain forest to be precise, is filled with TLC from Dennis.
His latest portfolio includes this "deformed cucumber".
They are tiny, longish and spikey, and full of seeds.

Yeah...they look deformed, taste great though, juicy, kinda like a cross between lime & cucumber and farm fresh for sure. I still don't know the official name of this cucumber.... !! Can anyone help ??

My crimes on Friday nite

5.30pm - Earliest dinner in my life, pre theatrical dinner @ Aria Restaurant with my "sisters".

Hoorray....Freebie does exist in this world, we were so excited as soon as we heard the magic sentence from the waitress "Complimentary from the Chef today".

FREEBIE - Corn soup with prawn
Simple, flavoursome & creamy, I don't think I need more than a shot

Entree - Scallop w prawn crisps, shaved fennel and tamarind date sauce
I luv scallops in every way, my judgement might be biased ??
Perfectly cooked scallops & beautiful sauce to go with it.

Entree - Terrine of duck, dates, baby carrots and duck ham
Didn't try this, too meaty for my liking

Main - Blue eye Trevalla steamed fillet with grenolate, prawns & tomato vinaigrette
Very light and moist, nicely blanched sweet cherry tomatoes, and risotto balls cooked with some cheese (brown balls)

Main - Roasted lamb with lamb pastia, fennel & red capsicum

Main - Petuna Ocean Trout, slow cooked with samphire, watercress & pink grapefruit sabayon

Side dish - Steamed Broccolini with garlic & chilli

Another freebies....too good to be true.
Dessert - macaroon, macadamia nougat & caramel choc

7pm - Why...why..why...do we have to fix the bill ??
Don't we all hate this part ??
Paid the bill finally with high degree of reluctant-ness.

Rushed to Sydney Opera House to watch "Le Grand Cirque". Reminds me of The Incredibles (Elastigirl), Everyone was stretchable, bendable, swinging high up in the sky etc.
The show was all right, I prefer Cirque De Soleil though.

10pm - Guylian Belgium Chocolate Cafe

Opera My Way Cake

Waffle with Praline & African choc sauce
I have to say Max Brenner's waffle is far better, Guylian's version is too fluffy & tasteless, well compensated with the nice praline.

Creme Brule & Biscotti

11pm - time to gooooo home and feel quilty !@#)(*^&#@)!!

ChinaTown trip ....

We love Holland Village Nasi Lemak, been going to them for the past X many years.
Eventhough they have a stall in Holland V area (obvious from the name rite) which is about 10 mins from where we live, and mom prefers to go to their Chinatown stall which is 30 mins away. It doesn't make any sense (to me) hehehehe ....

Hailed the cab to go the Chinatown area to satisfy our nasi lemak craving.
Done. Happy. Satisfied.
Things we do for food ....

Katong Laksa/ Holland V Nasi Lemak

Various fried stuff from fish ball, fried chicken, ikan bilis, crab stick, etc.

Kueh Tutu - next to Nasi lemak stall

Other stall... Soon kueh

Taiwanese Nite

Dinner @ Din Tai Fung Paragon.

Absolutely luv this place, consistent taste for the past > 5 yr.
I have never had any disappointment with them, taste & service wise, the only nightmare was having to Q for a table.

As a very loyal customer, I honestly think I deserve a "No Q needed" pass. Yeah...dream on.

Famous Xiao Long Bao

Pork Ribs noodle soup

Minced Pork noodle

Spinach w Garlic