Bali 2023 Plane Eats

 Hi Everyone, welcome back! So I finally got overseas again. Very long overdue.

As promised I busily photographed my eats on my trip, and I'm going to break my blog down into manageable bites (bites, good one Berz).

This first post I'm going to focus on what I ate en route to and from Bali.

My flights were:

Hobart - Brisbane

Brisbane - Denpasar

Denpasar - Brisbane

Brisbane - Hobart.

Bye Hobart, Bye Tassie

On my first leg I was very excited to have successfully bid to win an upgrade to business class. I would be flying Virgin and this would be my first time doing business on Virgin.

For those who don't know, Virgin (and other airlines), will offer you the chance to bid for an upgrade depending on how many seats they have available. The starting bid price varies and I was very happy to have got mine for $140.

Being a business class traveler, I also got separate check in, priority boarding and priority luggage allowing me to collect my checked luggage before anyone else.

I had seat 1A and was offered drinks before take off.

Lovely, lovely legroom. I was sat next to a politician.

The seats, legroom and service was outstanding. We had our own attendant for just the 8 of us, our own toilet and all food and drink included.

You're even gorgeous from the air, Tassie.

Once in the air, more drinks were offered and cheese and bikkies.

Then we were offered a choice of hot meal from pasta or chicken curry with rice. I opted for the curry... and sparkling, because... FREE.

It was jolly delicious. It was a nice mild to medium Thai style chicken curry with some steamed Asian greens and a chocolate mousse slice. 

In the times I have flown Premium or Business I just love real crockery, real cutlery and real glass. No idea why, but I just love it.

The flight was almost too short. But not to worry, the next flight would make up for that!

An overnight layover in Brisbane before flight 2.

Hi Brisbane

My friendly pickup, Uber Hails! "Boobs" is me.

Day 2: Brisbane to Bali

Had to be up rather early for our flight. We made our way to the airport, had some standard airport cafe breakfast -no photo- and a couple of morning bubbles.

Now, it needs to be said: the two airlines that most people choose to fly from Australia to Bali are Jetstar and Virgin. We chose Virgin, firstly because of their reputation and secondly, for the same price, they are full service... or so I thought.

As I was soon to discover, Mr Branson has been pinching some pennies and has decided to become a budget carrier. Boo.

In any case, I always pay the extra for exit now seats, or Economy X. I'm 5'10 and regular seats are just too tiny for someone that continually has ants in her pants.

By this time It was fairly close to lunchtime, so I opted for one of the two hot meals available Ravioli ($15) a cookie ($5) and a Gin pre-mix ($13)

Was it hot? Yes. Was it good? No Was it good value? No

I ended up spending about $100 on food and drinks for the uncomfortable 6 and a half hour flight. I can't imagine how rough it would have been in a standard seat. Poor buggers. But we got there in the end.

The flight home from Bali was much better. Number 1, it was shorter at 5 hours. 2, I managed some micro-naps. And 3, I brought on my own food.

I had around $25 in IDR left over so thought I'd get my dinner at the airport before departure.

I don't know why more people don't take their own food on planes.

I got myself a Rueben sandwich, a white chocolate muffin and 2 lots of mentos. While onboard 2 more Gordon pre-mixes and a red wine before nap time.

Now THIS was good plane food! it must have been 9 inches or 30 cm long, stuffed with pastrami, cheese, pickled veg, slaw and mayo. It was fresh and delicious!

I didn't even get to the muffin, we each had a little nibble just because it was there.

Final thoughts:

Going forward, I think I'm going to save up a little longer and fly full-service or business, if it means I take less trips then so be it. 

Please stay tuned for my upcoming posts about our beautiful all-inclusive resort Grand Mirage and Thalasso, Japanese dinner at the Hotel Nikko and our exquisite high- tea at The Apurva Kempinski.

If you cant wait, feel free to read over my other Bali posts or other all inclusive hotel blogs.

Click for blog link

Seminyak

Sol by Melia All Inclusive

Hilton Dahab All Inclusive

A Quick Ramen at Yazuka

 I have been researching a foody trip to Japan, and now I crave Japanese food every second. 

Ramen, I needed Ramen so while in the area, thought I'd try out Yuzuka in Moonah.

We got there pretty early, just before midday, but were welcomed and shown to a lovely booth.

I had already decided I needed ramen, and selected the Chashu Slices Ramen ($18), while Gudge opted for the Karaage Don (which I requested he get in a set so I could have all the lovely bits and bobs on the side) ($18+$3 for set), he also ordered an apple juice ($3).

My ramen was delicious. I'm not sure of the right adjective, but I always just think it's a hug-in-a-bowl. The pork was very flavourful, the noodles tender and the soup very morish. I would have liked to be offered the little addy bits, but didn't miss them too much.

Gudgie's set looked great. He rated the karaage highly. I enjoyed the lotus chips and pickles very much but found the tempura mushrooms to be just a tad oily.

Overall, a very tasty lunch.

Yazuka Japanese Restaurant

• 78 Main Rd, Moonah TAS 7009

• 0459 491 611

Mrs Oli's Takeaway at Blair Street Shop

On a lovely Sunday after doing our garden work, I suggest to Gudge that we pick up some fish and chips and head to the river.

The Blair Street Shop in New Norfolk has changed owners numerous times but the current owner, I've heard and read is doing a great job. So we head in to check it out and support local.

The first thing I notice when I walk in is how clean the place is which is lovely to see in a takeaway store. The menu is short and to the point. This, I also think is pleasant.

photo borrowed from Mrs Oli's FB

The prices are reasonable I think. I opted for the Fisherman's Basket, Gudge had a chicken and bacon burger and the onion rings in the hot box looked too good to refuse and a tartare sauce.

We were very courteously served and told the order would be around five minutes, which it was.

We took our food items down the the esplanade and laid out our picnic.

 

I was very happy with my basket. Everything was cooked just brilliantly. The fish (I think it was flake) was flaky and flavoursome. The prawn, scallops and calamari were all cooked just as they should be and the scallops especially were so fresh.

I'm not sure if these are the usual chips they use (potato and chip shortage means everywhere is struggling to get chips) but they were okay. Crinkle cut aren't my favourite and I would have liked them a touch crispier but they were alright.

These onion rings though... phwoarrrr... I haven't stopped thinking about them. 11/10 yum!

Gudge said his burger was simple. I tasted it and it was simple but perfect. Fresh ingredients succulent chicken. Yum.

I was really happy with this place and I can totally imagine requesting Gudge to pick up a takeout on his way home from work.

Well done Mrs Oli.

Address: 3 Blair St, New Norfolk TAS 7140
Phone: (03) 6261 2757

The Winston. Pre-Gig Dinner.

Four years in Tasmania.

Gudge and I were celebrating with dinner at a Hobart institution, The Winston and seeing some bands at Alter (Dead Congregation and Blood Incantation- Death Metal).

The Winston was one of the first places we ate when we first visited Hobart see post here and seemed only fitting that we would celebrate our four year Tassiversary here.

If in Hobart, do stop in. Great beer, great food... trendy youth types.

Here is their menu:

menu courtesy of zmenu.com

Gudge decided on the cheeseburger and I thought I'd try the MYOkfc sambo - chicken. (However I was also eyeing off the pulled pork and the pit beef sandwich.) To my delight, Gudge also ordered us a serve of the mac n cheese sticks.

Our burgs showed up first ( I should also mention to generally expect a bit of a wait for food at the Winston- but it's worth it)

Served with fries which were very nicely cooked and seasoned, I would describe this as a KFC bahn mi and it was DEEE-LIII-SHUSSS! Little bit of spice, nice Vietnamese flavours from the veg salad and coriander and really nice roll. Very, very nice and a lighter option on an Americana inspired menu.

Gudge enjoyed his cheeseburger. Gudge generally enjoys burgers.

We were coming to the end of our meals when a waitress came to take our table number. I enquired as to our mac n cheese sticks to which she replied "they always come out last", weird thing to say about an entree, but okay.

We finished our plates and I asked again if our entree was coming and they did, about 5 minutes later. Fortunately they were very, very worth the wait. I remember how well The Winston perfects mac n cheese from our first visit (in which they came out with the meal) but a good mac n cheese is no easy feat. So wait aside, I applaud the kitchen not only for the sticks, an all round excellent meal.

The Winston

https://thewinstonbar.wordpress.com/

381 Elizabeth Street, North Hobart

The Shed at Derwent Estate

July in Tasmania: Cold, cloudy dreary. But... not this weekend. The first weekend of July this year was quite special for me as it was my 40th birthday. Doubly special as I had my two best girlfriends visiting from Brisbane to celebrate with me.

I had decided to try the newest restaurant in the Derwent Valley, The Shed. A new project from the Winery 'Derwent Estate'. 

We were met with an absolutely perfect day, actually the whole weekend was lovely blue skies, and still days with maximums around 15 deg C.

Grapevines, sheep and lambs with Mt Dromedary in the background

My girls and the sheep and adorable lambs

The menu alone had been my reasoning for selecting The Shed for my birthday lunch. We have wonderful options in the Valley now for dining (see posts on Osteria Vista and Agrarian Kitchen) but I thought with the group of us dining, this menu would provide something for everyone including my slightly less adventurous Gudgeon.

But of course, we selected a bottle of Derwent Estate Sparking to begin with and it was delightful.

The Shed is set back from the cellar door and offers magnificent views of the Derwent River. The setting is casual and perfectly suited to a sunny day. I cant begin to imagine how spectacular it would be to lunch here on a summers day with those bistro blinds up and a breeze wafting across the river.

Stoneground beer bread with nasturtium butter

We order bread for the table. Absolutely beautiful. I'm not sure if it was the bread or the nasturtium butter but the saltiness that came through was gorgeous.

scallop, oyster, croquettte

For entrees we all choose a few bites from the snacks menu. I opted for the Raw scallop with mandarin and chives, the Bruny Island Oyster and the parmesan and leek croquette with lemon butter.

raw scallop, mandarin, chive

What a delight this scallop was. Texture was retained by the curing from the citrus and the sharp sweet and tartness of the mandarin was spectacular. This was one of my highlights of the meal. The croquette was crispy and crunchy and salty and potatoey and cheesey. Just great.

oyster, buttermilk, parsley oil

I love an oyster. I especially love a Tasmanian oyster: smaller but sweeter than many others. This oyster didn't do it for me though. Milk and oyster is not a combination I would recommend... ever. Very pretty though.

butter poached blue eye trevella, oyster and yuzu cream, kohlrabi

Ordering fish as a main.... I've said it before... it's risky business, I've found it will either be mediocre, not bad, but forgettable or it will be the best thing you ever had. I have found as a gambler, that the odds are 5-1 for a truly spectacular fish main, something you'll remember for a very long time, and today I backed a winner.

The texture was velvety smooth and flaked off beautifully. A lovely fresh fish flavour which was almost chicken-like. The oyster and yuzu cream was a gorgeous savoury accompaniment and the kohlrabi was a clean and fresh finish. This may have been THE best fish main I have ever had.

sides

To go with our mains, we ordered the octopus and raw tuna from the small plates menu and the charred cos and pinkeye potatoes from the sides menu.

octopus, black garlic, chimichurri

I first tried octopus in Barcelona and in both that dish and furthermore in Rome I found the octopus to be very strong in flavour. Not this dish however, very fresh and tender. I'm not sure if I would order it again but nonetheless, delicious.

charred cos lettuce, anchovie, prosciutto

This little side packed a punch, and with lettuce going to about $1000/kg at the moment, how could we not. I loved the POW of the anchovy in this dish. Lots of saltiness to contrast with the charred cos.

pinkeyes, creme fraise, saltbush

Oh Tassie, how are you so good at potatoes? These were crispy, beautifully seasoned and a great side.

raw tuna, ponzu, black sesame, wakame

The raw tuna dish was a favourite all round. When tuna can be caught so close, it makes perfect sense to serve it in it's purest form.

chicken breast, cauliflower puree, oyster mushroom, artichoke velute

All three of my guests had the chicken. It's very rare for me to order chicken when dining, it's hard to do magnificently or even 'not boringly', however when I tasted some off their plates I was utterly blown away. I think the photo shows how succulent that breast is, it was more than succulent, it had the texture of triple cream brie- it was mind blowing. The combination of cauliflower and artichoke was a revelation and the mushrooms were jewels in the crown. 

date pudding, kunzea butterscotch caramel, malt cream

We order a bottle of iced Riesling to have with dessert, a beautiful semi sweet chilled white wine and my favourite dessert of all time Sticky Date Pudding. Guest Anna described it as "probably the best sticky date she had tried" and it was certainly up there for me also... I do have to always compare it to the one that made me cry  and I reckon it was a solid second place after that one. Moist with crispy edges a slight almost whisky flavour, lightly whisked but beautifully flavoured cream. My goodness... what an end to a meal.

In conclusion, I am so happy with The Shed; divine outlooks in a charmingly understated setting with beyond friendly staff that make you feel right at home. The food overall was excellent with some crazy high highlights and one or two experiments that I may avoid next time. 

I will happily be adding this to my 'will visit again' list and will be one for our future guests. I would say a definite must-do if venturing north of Hobart to our beautiful Derwent Valley.

photo courtesy of Derwent Estate facebook page

Derwent Estate Winery

Phone: (03) 6263 5802

Address: 329 Lyell Hwy, Granton TAS 7030

https://www.derwentestate.com.au/