Birthday Celebrations

On my actual birthday this year, I didn't do anything special besides go to work and come home. One of my best friends has the same birthday as me (and she also works full time) so we decided to celebrate over the weekend with her and some friends.

I had a light dinner at a Japanese restaurant and then had some small noms and cocktails at The Powder Keg before heading to a bar and then went home! Nothing fancy really. 

Earl Grey Cocktail / Snow Dome G&T.

The infamous G&T Sorbet Oysters / Birthday Cocktail on the house!

My bestie & I / The size of my cocktail for reference.

I was so lucky this year and got so spoiled by friends and family. I ate so much delicious food, had good times and got to spend time with my fam and Gemma! (our family dog fyi.)

Despite attempting to take pictures of what I got for my Birthday, some things were in the kitchen pantry or in the bathroom somewhere.... but nevertheless. 

I got treated to some Jo Malone fragrances, small leather goods like a new (compact size) wallet, a tea mug,
things that smell and taste good and some new make-up!

I've basically been using every single one of these items religiously except for the smaller fragrance (which I purchased with a lovely gift card from my Aunt) and I'm loving everything!

♥

More food - Hatch & Co.

I went to Hatch & Co. at garden city with some friends to check out the place, I think I was the only one who had never been. I would rate it 6/10 - the food is nice but kind of overpriced, but the drinks menu was pretty awesome and affordable. I think everyone enjoyed the food but to the honest, we probably felt we could eat another meal after 30 minutes anyway.

Cute décor 

Grapefruit mocktail - I had a cold so I thought this would be okay even though it's iced :P

Cider?

I took pictures of nothing and left out some pictures of food and drinks... 

Share plate - roast chicken with polenta thingies (I had my first ever brussel sprout!)

Pumpkin mash was yummy!!!

Not gonna lie, pizza was pathetic as hell for a "gourmet". I could taste the flavour of raw dough...

Slow cooked lamb was good, but it was a bit bland. (less sodium is healthier though!)

Might go back if I am desperate and don't have much options, but yeah I wasn't wowed or anything. Food is food, I was with good friends, so it was good times!

Brisbane's Jamie's Italian

After a week of completing my uni exams and attending two different inductions for work, I finally got to go out to the city to have a relaxing day. So I met up with Becky for movies, some shopping (for Xmas gifts) and have dinner at Jamie's Italian which recently opened.

We walked in at 6.15, and were asked to wait an hour. It's a long time, but we could leave and come back then, and they would also call us too. Not much of a hassle since it's Friday late night shopping night.

I've only been to Jamie's Italian twice in Sydney's Martin Street location, both times were quite lovely. I just really like the interior of the restaurant - the food is pretty good but sometimes not worth the money depending on what you get.

A severely undressed me, everyone else in the restaurant was dressed up
(I think most of them were office workers/going out for the night)

Selfies while waiting in line...

Mushroom risotto with smoked mozzarella, ragu, arancini
and a caprese (which I did not take a photo of).

Dessert - Pannacotta with berries &
orange almond frangipane tart with creme fraiche ice cream.

Accidentally ordered "still water" which was $7.50...

Altogether was just under $80. Not too bad, but I really don't eat at restaurants much. All the dishes were pretty good, but I never really get disappointed unless it's really bad. The capreses alad which was $12 was pretty steep for what I got though.

Holidays - let the food adventures begin!