Cassegrain Winery and Ca Marche Restaurant

A regular stop when Vikki and I travel to Coffs Harbour for a holiday, is Cassegrain Winery at Port Macquarie. We usually have a quick taste and as our timing usually gets us there at lunch time, we take advantage of the opportunity to break our journey with a leisurely lunch.

The entry to the tasting room is through the barrel hall, rich with the smells of wine maturing.

After a quick tasting session it was time to have some lunch. Ca Marche overlooks the vines with ample indoor and al fresco dining areas. The menu features produce predominantly from local producers. 

We decided to start our lunch with some warm damper served with relish, extra virgin olive oil and artichoke dip. We also decided to share the charcuterie plate. Terrine, pate, smoked salmon, prosciutto, with artichokes, confit garlic, cornichons, sundried tomatoes and crusty bread. Very filling and we still had mains to go.

For mains Vikki chose a chicken breast stuffed and then wrapped in prosciutto, roesti, asparagus and confit cherry tomatoes.

Nothing beats fresh seafood especially when it is local, so I chose the seafood plate with Balmain bugs, local calamari and scallops.

After all that we decided to have dessert before hitting the road again. We thought we were getting the lightest item on the dessert menu by choosing the chef’s specialty French cinnamon doughnuts served with a warm amaretto chocolate Grenache and orange scented mascarpone. We were slightly mistaken but enjoyed them very much. Gave us a good sugar hit for the next leg of our trip.

Kazahana, Conrad Hotel, Tokyo

One of our three favourite hotels to stay at in Tokyo is the Conrad Hotel in Shiodome. Located an easy 10 minute walk to the shopping mecca of Ginza, it has easy access to three train lines that will get you anywhere you want to visit in Tokyo.

This trip we were able to get an upgrade to a bay view suite, which gave us views over Hama Rikyu Onshi Tien, the Sumida River and Tokyo Bay. 

The suite was amazing, so much room. You often hear complaints about the size of rooms in Asian hotels, but this was larger than some we have stayed in in western countries. 

In need of lunch after a walk around Ginza, we decided to try the Japanese restaurant within The Conrad Hotel, Kazahana. Located past the lobby on level 28, it has sweeping views over the river and bay. The decor is modern Japanese style with touches of the past, very relaxing. 

Table setting.

Not quite in the mood for a glass of wine Vikki and I had a nice iced glass of green tea.

We decided to have the set lunch which offered a good variety of food.

Appetizer of Taro stem, okra, uni and seaweed sauce.

Second course was a clear broth, tofu skin, shrimp dumpling.

Third course was a mixed entree plate, with each dish using a different method of cooking, which impressed Vikki.

Pike conger, eggplant and tofu.

Octopus and radish.

Sashimi of squid and sea bream.

Chilled soba noodles.

Tempura prawns and vegetables, rice topped with dried purple shiso leaf, pickles and miso soup. Obligatory food and watch shot includes my Fiddy.

Next out was a pre dessert.

Then dessert, Japanese black sugar cake, caramelized banana and watermelon with green tea.

And to finish even more green tea.

After lunch we were in need of a lie down, which we followed with a swim in the hotel's amazing pool on the 29^th floor, watching the office workers finish their day.

Ferrari at the Sydney Opera

Ferrari Racing Days has come down under for an amazing racing extravaganza. For the first time in Australia, fans were able to see the Ferrari 458 Asia Pacific Challenge series and experience the thrill of the official Ferrari F1 show.

It was the largest gathering of Ferrari cars with the latest models displayed together with classic Ferrari's that have helped create the history of the Prancing Horse. The impressive range of vehicles included: a 250GT Europa, 250GT PF, Coupe, 250GTL, 275GTB, 330GTC, 330GT, 365GTB, 365GTC, 365BB, 246GT and the most impressive jewel in the crown a 166MM. The spectacular Ferrari 166MM, which is privately owned was imported into Australian from New Zealand specifically for the Ferrari Racing Days. Considered to be one of the greatest Ferrari’s of all time, the 166MM is one of the most beautiful and rare cars that was on display.

I was privileged enough to get an invite to the opening act which was the official ‘Welcome Party’ on Friday the 11^th of April at the Sydney Opera House. A wet day turned into a wonderful early evening as a friend and I made our way down to Circular Quay.

A spectacular cruise ship the Celebrity Solstice was just leaving. 

As we walked towards the front of the Opera house, there was the unmistakable red of the Ferrari Marquee. 

It was fortunate that we were early, as we managed to get a few pictures of the layout and preparations.

The new Ferrari Formula 1 car did not get all the attention.

We also managed to get a few pictures of the Hublot novelties just before the 300 or more guests arrived for a night of racing passion, great food and a never-ending flow of Veuve Clicquot.

But the star of the show was an exclusive prototype of the Hublot Masterpiece MP-05 La Ferrari.

To say that this watch is a technical marvel is an understatement as only by seeing it in the flesh can one appreciate the intricate and often astounding finer details and its surprising wearability.

I knew that the ultimate destiny for this piece was the Hublot Factory but this didn’t stop me from trying to negotiate a time share arrangement with little success. The consolation was that at least I was one of the very few who were lucky enough to try this watch.

Back to the festivities. Mr George Souris, Minister for Tourism welcomed the guests and officially opened the first Ferrari Racing Days in Australia. The night was attended by Herbert Appleroth, CEO Ferrari Australasia and a considerable number of foreign guests which was a great way to meet new friends.

Hublot donated a clock signed by Ferrari driver Kimi Räikkönen, to raise funds towards a specialised Youth Cancer centre at Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick to provide support to 16-25 years olds with cancer.

This event was another testament of the successful ongoing relationship being forged between Hublot and Ferrari. My friend and I certainly enjoyed ourselves and we both commented that this was one of the best events that we have attended so far this year if not over the last few years. 

Black by Ezard, The Star, Sydney

Vikki had a rare weekend off, so we decided to have a day in the city. I also decided to treat her for her birthday and to celebrate 20 years of us being together. We were at The Star  as we had thought of going to Balla Osteria by Stefano Manfredi, alas it was closed. Surprisingly Black by Ezard was open. Surprisingly, because we didn’t think they were open on Sundays.

For Sunday lunch, Black By Ezard offers a special 3 course champagne lunch, which  sounded good to us. Champagne on offer was Moet& Chandon, so that settled where we were going to eat.

Pushing through the large front door we entered a very luxurious room. Dark woods, stone flooring, water views, shiny modern chrome lighting, beige leather and beautiful screen panels were a pleasing sight. We were seated in the main area, back from the window but still able to enjoy the view of the bay and brilliant blue sky.

The concise menu for lunch had a great range of options to choose from along with a good selection of sides. 

But first, a mini house made brioche loaf was bought to the table. 

One of my favourite entrees was on the menu which made my first choice easy. Beef tartare with heirloom beets, spiced herb mayonnaise, mustard ice cream and puffed wild rice. The beets were done in several ways, one of which was a deep purple gel covering the tatare. All together an interesting and delicious dish.

Vikki chose the slow cooked, crispy pork hock, apple and pear slaw with chilli caramel. A slice of crispy, deboned hock was topped with the slaw, radish slices and drizzled with the chilli caramel. Vikki said it was a great combination of flavours and textures.

Keeping with the beef, I decided to have the 30 day, grass fed Angus fillet. This was served with a roasted cauliflower and pearl onion salad and gremolata. A selection of sauces was also bought to the table for me to choose from, of which I selected béarnaise sauce and Café de Paris butter. Of course with steaks you need some chips, in this case sprinkled with garlic, parmesan and rosemary salt.

Vikki loves a bit of duck every now and then so she chose the duck breast with salt and pepper crust and was served with a peach and rocket salad with tamarind honey dressing. Vikki was impressed with the dressing which she said had a nice sweet sour touch and the salad was great with the sweetness of the peach and the pepperiness of the rocket going well together.

Desserts of course were a highlight. We saw another table with the chocolate dessert, so one of us had to have it. Vikki chose ot have the strawberry shortcake, sauternes mascarpone, yoghurt lime sorbet and strawberry jelly. Vikki likes a light summer dessert on a hot day.

I was the lucky one who ordered the decadent chocolate sphere (reminiscent of our chocolate dessert at Gordon Ramsey @ Claridges), topped with edible gold leaf. The waitress poured warm ganache over the top of the sphere, which melted to reveal the fresh mint ice cream, raspberry mousse and chocolate cookie. Nothing like a bit of a performance with food.

Black by Ezard surpassed our expectations and we will definitely be heading back again. Hopefully our next visit will also be a spectacularly sunny day.

Big Bang Unico: Why I had to have it!

I've been collecting Hublot's since 2007 when I first set eyes on the original Big Bang and to this day it lives up to its name in so many ways. I've owned many variants including Big Bang Steel, Gold, Tantalum and Luna Rossa. Then tried the All Black Classic Fusion. The next big step was the All Black King Power Unico. I loved the movement but felt it was just too big for me. My prayers were answered when Hublot announced the Big Bang Unico.

I was lucky to see the Big Bang Unico prototypes at a HK function last year and while I respected the new design I just wasn't sure. Upon reflection the design was perfect it was just that my state of mind was still set in the past. A brand that has 'Fusion' as it's philosophy will test even its strongest devotee's at times. Two weeks ago my AD had the Titanium Big Bang Unico and I was very impressed, yes those round pushers make sense, the polished and matt titanium contrast on the case is amazing. 

The depth of the dial will keep my interest. This is indeed a big positive step for Hublot. 

Yesterday the sunny Sydney weather was perfect, so after having a wonderful breakfast, we went to buy it. It has been a while since I have been this excited about a watch!

As the Hublot story continues to gather momentum, I look forward to more novelties over many years to come.