SEASONS EATINGS

I racked up some material during the most indulgent time of year. So here are some Christmas time meals that i'm gonna bang out all at once.

THAI FOOD TO GO
125 Chapel Street, Windsor

Pre-xmas dinner with Marika & Alex at Thai Food To Go in Windsor. I had a vegetarian Lard Nar - a veggie and rice noodle dish which was fairly bland. Wished I'd gone for a spicier Pad Thai instead.

CHRISTMAS DAY
We had our immediate family Christmas breakfast at home in Carlton. A tradition that consists of......

Fresh Summer Fruits


Bircher Muesli



And Salmon Gravalax on Mini Bagels with Dill Sauce (more about Gravalax here)

After exchanging xmas presents, it was off to my Aunt's house in Alphington for Christmas Lunch with the (ever-expanding) extended family. It's always a very relaxing, casual affair, held mostly outside, weather permitting.



There are always cold meats on offer, but the salads are so incredible, that it's often a better option to go vegetarian for the day.


Big plate of mixed salads, including.... my mum's acclaimed Pumpkin-Chickpea-Coriander Salad... Potato Salad... Caramelised Onions... two varieties of Marinated Mushrooms... Pasta Salad... Coleslaw, and my favourite of recent years - my auntie's Wild Rice Salad.


For dessert, i jumped on the Chocolate Ripple Cake, an old Aussie favourite, and also a hunk of colonial style Christmas Pudding with Custard. I'm not sure if there was a sixpence slipped in, but unless i swallowed it unknowingly, i guess i missed out.


Before and after lunch, guests were "treated" to a ride on an imaginary train, conducted by Aston, the eldest of the new generation.


Luckily booze was allowed on this train, but my mother got a scolding, and was firmly asked to disembark when she tried to take a cup of coffee on board...


After several hours of said activity, there was a "train crash" which resulted in my playing technician, and suggesting the train might have to retire to the train yard for the day... phew!

SPAG BOL IN NORTH CARLTON
After Christmas, Marika and I caught up with my cousin, Ella, whom we'd last hung out with in New York in September. We had dinner and drinks outside at my brother & sister-in-law's place, before hitting the town.

Heidi-homemaker offering us a choice of pasta...



Spaghetti Bolognese




LUNCH AT HOME
When mama's on school holidays, there's always plenty of nice walks and lovely lunches.

Banana Shakes by Lia. Baguette Sandwiches. And Portuguese Tarts from King & Godfree (293-297 Lygon Street, Carlton).

LA VINE'S COURTYARD CAFE & RESTAURANT
384 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

On a warm night between xmas and new year, i caught up with some of my girls for dinner at a new Chinese-Vietnamese place on Brunswick Street. In the company of Vegan's, i was happy for them to order a yummy range of tofu & veggie dishes: Lemongrass & Ginger, Satay, Clay Pot, Mongolian somethingorother, i can't remember exactly what...
It had a gorgeous little courtyard. The staff were new, and were forgiven for a few mistakes and delays because they were so sweet. Give this place a burl!