A Touch of Germany in Chatswood?

 Last night in Chatswood we had a lovely post dance concert celebration dinner with a large family group. 

Of course our two granddaughters were stars of the show at the Concourse, kudos also the the organisers who produced a slick show at the family friendly time of 4pm. 

For our dinner we adjourned to The Bavarian Chatswood a family friendly restaurant not too far from the theatre. We had a super time chatting about the performances and revelling in the excitement of our two dancers. 

What struck me was that some of the items on the "German inspired" menu didn't reflect my memories of beer cafes and restaurants I'd visited in Germany. It was interesting that I, and the three people around me, ordered that German staple "YOUR ALL-TIME FAVOURITE PARMI: Golden crumbed chicken, prager ham, mozzarella, napolitana".  I added some authenticity to my serve with a potato salad accompaniment while the others chose fries!

The huge serving was hot and delicious but was too much for my delicate appetite! I'm sure that today Paddy will enjoy the half of the schnitzel that I wrapped in a few napkins and brought home for him. 

Deliziosa

 At Grappolo D'Oro

Tucker time just across the corner from our hotel. We've had a few good meals in Italy, tonight's was excellent.

It won't be the last time

Last night I had my first ever Bento Box from a local Japanese restaurant, Mizumi. The food was varied, fresh, delicious and plentiful.

Although I have eaten Japanese food on several occasions this was my introduction to the Bento Box. I loved having a little Japanese smorgasbord  all to myself. It won't be the last time I choose this option

Big Night Out

When some family members were unable to attend a local venue Lizottes they offered us their tickets for dinner and a show with The Whitlams. We accepted readily as I wanted to check out the venue and I'm always up for a night out.

One of our cheeky offspring asked if we had heard of  The Whitlams, and I said I'd heard of our former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam and his wife Margaret but didn't know much about this rock band.

On Tuesday evening we donned our glad rags and headed to Lizotte's, which is set up in an old theatre in Lambton, a suburb of Newcastle, NSW. It was a good venue for a live gig as it's small and most tables would afford a good view of the act up on stage. A much better option for seeing the Whitlams than a huge entertainment centre. We did feel a trifle overdressed as most of our fellow audience members were casually attired. Shorts and a tshirt for a dinner and show - really?

Lizottes - A former theatre

Music themed decor at Lizottes

Apparently our included dinner could be taken between 6pm and 8pm with the show starting at 9pm. We opted for a 7pm dinner; next time we will go later as we didn't need two hours for dinner. I was expecting rather ordinary fare so was delighted with the quality and presentation of our included main course and our shared entree (purchased), the wine we had was a decent drop and wasn't drastically overpriced.

Calamari Entree

Scotch Fillet Main course

We enjoyed the two hour show although we weren't familiar with most of the music and we couldn't understand the words due to poor diction (or sound quality). I was most, impressed with the vocalist/keyboard chap who appeared to be le leader of the band, I loved the energy, enthusiasm and energy of the drummer who put his heart and soul into every number. 

Keyboard/Vocalist

Drummer

I wouldn't know if the guitarists were good or not but the long-haired one was totally engaged and appeared to be enjoying himself. The other chap was a physical presence who just stood and played; I got the impression that this was just a job to him, there was no evidence of any passion or feeling.

Guitarist

Guitarist

And the verdict. We will be following the offerings from Lizottes and look forward to returning for future events. While we enjoyed The Whitlams they are not high on our list for a return gig.

Main Crouse

Had a wonderful day out in Sydney last Saturday taking advantage of a Christmas 2019 gift of tickets to a live show, Nine to Five. Thanks to Covid and the show being rescheduled we had to wait over two years to use our gift.

Our daughter accompanied us on our trip to Sydney which, because we used all the toll roads, only took us 90 minutes. That gave us time for a leisurely lunch at Capital Thai, a restaurant conveniently located next door to the Capitol Theatre. We enjoyed an appetiser and two Main Crouses from the menu.

I was rather nervous about attending a show in the city but was comforted by the Covid Plan the theatre had in place. We were able to enter the theatre early and we waited until most of the patrons had left before we made our departure.

Masked up and it wasn't Phantom of the Opera

The show was lively and colourful with good vocal performances and serious messages. Can you believe that one of the stars, Marina Prior, is now 58 years old? Was it really 30 years ago that we saw her play Christine Daaé in Phantom of the Opera? 

Leaving home

 21 October 2021

Today I left home for the first time since we went into lockdown. I am not rushing back into society so our destination was our daughter's home in an adjoining LGA that we have been prohibited from visiting during lockdown. I felt quite safe there as all of  our family who are eligible for vaccination are double dosed.

Driving out of our CovidSafe Sanctuary

We enjoyed our gathering and our takeaway meal from our fave Newcastle Chinese restaurant Chinois. 

Fish and Chipperies

From time to time I take photos of eateries that we visit. When travelling these are often shops, cafes or restaurants that serve that good old staple Fish and Chips. Following are a few of the establishments that have contributed to our cholesterol count and some which we have passed on our travels.

Victor Harbour, South Australia

Maroubra, NSW, Australia

London, England

Dublin, Ireland

Somewhere in Ireland

Somewhere else in England

England again

Akureyri, Iclenad

Penzance, England

Sydney, Australia

Mandurah, Western Australia

Seattle, Washington

Mykonos, Greece

Gibraltar

Australia's most famous Fish and Chippery - Doyles, Watsons Bay, Sydney

Five Guys

In between our visit to the underwhelming Design Museum along Kensington High Street and a surperb performance of Agatha Christie's Witness for the Prosecution at The County Hall in London we decided to make a first visit to The Five Guys further along Kensington High Street.

We enjoyed our hamburgers and fries but, after this carb filled meal, bought some more sensible food from Marks & Spencer for a picnic dinner in our hotel room.

Out and about in London

Our day in London - Two art galleries and a fantastic musical with dinner in between.