Date Night at Vue De Monde Melbourne

Date nights are always great and I love an excuse to dress up so with my best plastic and cheap jewellery which I adore, my perfect 70's vintage bag, Chocolate and scarlet shoes and a nifty little number I picked up a while ago I headed out into the chilly Melbourne weather to destination unknown...I love a nice surprise. I always carry a compact and this is my fav' from Shiseido which gives a lovely matt finish and a freshly pressed handkerchief - be prepared.

What I was not prepared for was to dine at Shannon Bennett's Vue De Monde - the exclusive assess begins with a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory like entrance via lift from there it is all a little bit lovely. The restaurant has an incredible cellar with some very rare vintages. Expert Sommelier Anthony is a virtual wealth of information and enjoys sharing his passion, I love seeing people truly love their vocation. It was an unexpected delight to learn the heratige behind this 1969 bottle.

The view the restaurant offers perched above the Rialto is quite extraordinary and must be seen to be appreciated. 

Everything is part of the theatre and delight - be warned if eating offal and native animals offend you might need to let staff know. I only shied from one dish alone this image is the beginning of the degustation experience which was an enlightening culinary ride. The staff who attended us the very warm and attentive Natasha, Rachelle and Anthony made the experience inviting and made me want to revisit the restaurant before the evening was over. I have worked in service and this team gets it so right. One thing I also would urge you to do is try the Tasmanian Black finely ground Pepper it is full of flavour and naitve notes I adored this love love!

You can see the MENU here. I enjoyed the Champagne and the Rose'. 

You can book online and when you get there tell them Lisa sent you Cheers! http://www.vuedemonde.com.au/

Then you can always take a little peice back home with you.

I hear there is no need to make reservations for Live Jazz at the Lui Bar every Sunday

...is it Sunday yet?

Day Three Phuket Paradise

Morning coffee here at one of the infinity pool seating areas and a nap in the cabana chair before choosing how to spend the day. Nai Thon Beach which is literally minutes so I finally decided to wrench myself away from the resort to see the actual beach and what a sweet sight it was. This is a snap shot from here you can see the resort on the hill.

These nifty little doorless cars make a lot of sense in this place!

It is quite warm here and the Pullman Phuket offers free shuttles to Nai Thon beach which is a little back water dotted with massage and food offerings, diving from a traditional long tail and lovely white sand and pale turquoise ocean. Seconds later I was stepping into the warmest ocean water I have every experienced swimming was divine and grabbed a meal from one of the local street traders.

These women are using a mortar and pestle more herbs and nuanced flavour than a lot of restaurants - just wonderful. Lovely accommodating people too ensuring we had the right drinks despite the language barrier. This food was purchased opposite the green money exchange store front on the beach where the shuttle car dropped me off - it was a lovely way to wait for the car to collect me.

Back to the Resort shower and refresh with some snacks and a Rose before dinner.

Then off to Vero the Italian Restaurant on the upper level for the first time.

Very cool romantic place with illuminated menus. The food was divine I has scallops with truffle oil and then buffalo mozzarella cheese, tomato and basil stack. My partner had the Gnocchi with mushrooms which was a whole other taste journey.

Gorgeous food and atmosphere polished off with a glass of Lemonchello and that was how my day drew to an end just sublime.