High Tea at The Apurva Kempinski

Have you head of the Apurva Kempinski? I hadn't til I started researching accommodation for Bali.

It describes itself as:

Which I would say is pretty accurate.

The Kempinski hosted world leaders such as US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron for the 2022 G20 Conference. Look, it's a pretty swanky affair.

I had looked into the Koral Restaurant but honestly couldn't justify the AU$300+ price tag. I instead opted for the very reasonably priced High Tea, known as the Exquisite Afternoon Tea.

Including tax this comes to under $30 Australian which seems like a pretty cheap way to pretend to be rich for an afternoon.

We had spent the morning at the extraordinary Museum Pasifika, which I whole-heartedly recommend. Then make our way by taxi to the Kempinski.

Our first impression is of shock and awe. It is as close to a palace as can be imagined. You can smell the money here. We have a wander around the immaculately presented grounds for about 20 minutes, taking in the views, the perfectly manicured gardens, the monkeys, the endless acres of pools and gaze up in admiration at some of the suites.

Coming up to 2 pm, we are shown to our daybed with surely one of the greatest views on the Island of the Gods.

Although I certainly think I would get my monies worth with the two hours of freeflow sparkling wine for around $65, we instead settle on a glass of NZ Sav Blanc each.

We are directed to the nibbles buffet where we each collect a little "high tea tower". (Maybe we were supposed to have one between us, but alas)

The spread is indeed beautiful but is overwhelmed with a crowd of people, and not enough tongs. Perhaps it would be better to go at 2.30 or even 3pm to allow for the initial rush to pass. But we do our best to grab what we think we'll enjoy.

We start with savouries, a teeny tiny chicken slider, a savoury Danish, vol-au-vent, baby quiche, and a polenta bite with Jimbaran prawn. Each is absolutely delightful. Not one could be faulted in taste or presentation.

We also try a selection of sweets, choux pastry, tiny chocolate tarts, miniature donuts. There are cakes and scones and every sweet you can imagine, but we go back for more savouries. And end up full to the brim.

I am ever-so-slightly disappointed that there are no finger sandwiches. And it's hard to have a scone, jam and cream as all of these need to be loaded onto the tower wine only one hand.

I order a pot of tea as we laze the afternoon away taking in the views.

It was an amazing experience in a fabulous place. Some of those around were a bit on the snooty side, and I can imagine are the type not to make eye contact with a lowly waiter.

If you would like to see more of this PALACE, Please enjoy this review from my favourite reviewer, The Flip Flop Traveler

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