An incredible storm, a date with Oprah and some serious #foodporn

Our week this week started out feeling very tranquil. This always worries me – especially around this time of year – as it usually means there’s a shitstorm coming. Sure enough, what started out looking like this, ended up being so busy. But, better to be busy than bored, right? Wonder what bored actually feels like…

Anyway, hope you enjoy our latest edition of our Instagram Diary.

This morning, Mrs Romance has suggested we check out a cafe she’s been wanting to go to for ages. Kafeine in Balmain – apart from having a slightly annoying purposeful mispelling in its name – is actually awesome. The menu’s a bit more expensive than normal, but the food is excellent.

Mrs Romance has almost caused me serious food envy with her choice of crispy skinned salmon with 65° eggs, sushi rice and salad, but I’m pretty happy with my slow-cooked pulled beef rib hash with poached eggs and hollandaise. I think I’ll even eat the kale that comes with it!

It’s not the worst way to start the week, I must say: first an epic breakfast and then catching up with our buddy Steph from Lipstick and Cake.

We’re also about to eat what I’ve got a feeling might just be the best darn ribs in Sydney. The funny thing is, these tasty little guys aren’t beef or pork ribs; they’re lamb ribs. Plus they’re billed as ‘sweet and sour’, but they’re not particularly either.

What they are is sticky, crispy, tender and bloody delicious.

Here’s more on why we think these could be the best ribs in Sydney.

Oh, and it’s great to see Steph again of course!

Tonight we’ve somehow managed to meet up with two extremely elusive friends of ours. They’re got two very active little sons, so going out is not only hazardous, it’s exhausting for them. But with family in town, they’re making the most of it and we’ve seconded them for a dinner date.

We’re in Capello – an excellent little pizzeria restaurant in Balmain. I’ve often wondered what their calzone looked like so tonight I’ve taken a punt. It’s paid off well, I think. My mate Paul has gone for the same and I get the feeling he’s pretty happy too!

Weird things are afoot in the skies around Sydney tonight. This strange looming cloud is not behaving as clouds normally do and it makes me wonder…

Yup. Thought so. The mother of all summer storms is on full mojo across the city. Mrs Romance has managed to capture exactly how bad it is here. The lightning continues well into the night and by the morning the emergency services have been working hard to shift felled trees and react to minor flash flooding.

Amazing storm, I must say.

Tonight we’re well and truly out of our burrow. We’ve come north for once to meet up with Mrs Romance’s old school mate and her man. We’re in Manly – in Manly Wine in fact. It’s been over 2 years since we’ve been here, but the food and wine is still as good as ever.

I think, judging by the size of my epic burger, Manly is about right. This monster’s got everything from a huge burger patty and bacon to crispy onion rings and an elegantly small piece of lettuce. Very impressed with this burger – but not as impressed as Mrs Romance’s friend, who can’t believe I managed to eat the whole thing and so quickly she didn’t even see it disappear!

Today we’ve come to Drumoyne in Sydney’s Inner West. We’re exploring the little section of Victoria Road that has a brand new Harris Farm and a few other things started up. We’ve decided to take our lunch at Copo Cafe Diner, just next door to Harris Farm.

The coffee’s good, the service is fast and friendly, and the food is excellent. Mrs Romance’s Jamon and red quinoa salad with goat curd and a side of house-smoked trout is beautifully prepared, while my chicken karaagi burger with house-made slaw and wasabi mayo is exactly what I want.

We’ve also gone for a bowl of their new cassava chips, which are huge, crunchy and deliciously starchy. They really remind us of our time in the Cook Islands, where they often serve these instead of fries. Yum!

Image courtesy of our friend Lorraine Murphy.

The night has finally come and Mrs Romance can hardly hold it in. She’s going to see Oprah! She bought the tickets what feels like months ago but she’s finally here. She’s so excited, she hasn’t even taken any photos of the night, so we’ve borrowed our friend Lorraine’s great shot of this magnificent woman in action.

Looking forward to hearing some of Oprah’s genius from Mrs R. I’ve got a feeling she’ll be somewhat inspired by this!

Today we’ve popped in to see our friend Emma from Emma Kate Co at the last day of Finders Keepers design market in Sydney. It’s in Australia Technology Park in Sydney but there are other venues coming up in the middle of next year in other parts of the country.

Emma’s collections are so good (we love this one) if you’re looking for some unique stationery and gifts, check out her range.

This afternoon, Mrs Romance has knocked up this bowlful of delicious! And she bills herself as a non-cook. Rubbish! Whenever I try to cook haloumi, it sticks to the pan and ends up looking like someone’s ripped the tongue out of my shoe and burnt it. Under this perfectly cooked cheese is smoked salmon with fresh dill, baby spinach leaves and a mixture of chickpeas and white beans. Yum – and I don’t often say that about salad!

But how are you? How’s your penultimate week before Christmas looking? Are you ready for Chrimbo? Tell us in the comments!

Images by Mr and Mrs Romance via Instagram: @MrAndMrsRomance, @HairRomance, @Christina.Butcher – Mrs R’s Insta account and @AngryBastard of course!