Gluten-free pancakes, a movie premier and a very happy Valentine’s Day

It’s an absolutely lovely start to the week this week! Beautiful skies, warm winds… let’s just hope it lasts. Especially because we’ve got some fun things planned for Valentine’s Day this Saturday. Hmm. Think I might have jinxed things by saying that.

Anyway, it’s been a good start to the week blog wise too. We’ve had the best response yet to our new efforts producing the Mr & Mrs Romance newsletter. It’s quite funny really – Mrs R has been on at me for months about getting this going, but I always thought it’d be a nightmare, lots of extra work and no fun. Turns out it’s none of those things.

Don’t tell her but I think she’s probably right. Again.

If you haven’t subscribed to our newsletter yet, it’s really simple. Just pop your details in the form in the side bar here or at the bottom of the site and we’ll send you a quick weekly update on what’s been going on here.

I’m so happy. Whenever we go to our local cafe, I always order this. It’s called Goats on Toast and it’s just a plate of genius.

Grilled goat cheese on sour cherry toast, drizzled with honey and sprinkles of smashed walnuts. Comes with a sliced up crisp green apple. It’s just superb.

Funnily enough, Mrs Romance wanted to try it when they first put Goats on Toast on the menu, but every time she went in, they didn’t have a certain element to make it. In the end she just gave up. But the first time I decided to try it – and every time since – they’ve brought this out with no problems at all. Erk – hope I haven’t jinxed this as well now!

Whenever you get a spare couple of minutes to day dream, where does your mind wander? Mine goes straight here – back to Tulum to our hotel Casa de las Olas – ‘the House of the Waves’. These chair hammocks on our balcony made just about the best office ever. What a sweet spot!

Here’s our full review of Casa de las Olas, Mexico – though watch this space; we’ve got more coming about Mexico in the coming weeks.

Tonight’s dinner winner! For once, Mrs R and I have combined forces in our kitchen. We’ve tried this before with very mixed results. Too many cooks and all that.

But this time, everything’s come out rosy.

What you’re looking at is our interpretation of a Greek classic: lamb koftas with smokey roast eggplant, tabouli and quinoa salad and a mint yoghurt sauce. So good – worthy of a recipe in coming weeks, perhaps!

We’re super excited about our newest series starting on the blog today. Each week we’ll be asking a couple our favourite question: So how did you meet?

It’s such a great question because it always results in amazing stories that are inspiring, intriguing and fun – and often funny. We’ve started off the series with our own story – read it here in our inaugural So how did you meet?

Mrs Romance has left me to my own devices tonight and has gone out to dinner. She’s at the launch of Magnum at Home wines. It’s a great idea, taking cask wine (or wine in a box) to a level that’s actually drinkable. In these little cartons that are inconspicuous and nicely designed, is the same amount as two whole bottles of wine.

Wine from 10 different Australian wineries is currently available in this packaging and Mrs R says they’re really very drinkable. What’s more, the wine doesn’t go off if you open the cask and only have the one glass – however unlikely that is!

We can’t stop talking about Cuba. It was such a memorable trip – such a remarkable place.

When we arrived in Cuba, the one thing we were a little anxious about was the food. We’d heard all kinds of horror stories about how bad it is in Cuba. Well, here’s what we experienced on our trip. See for yourself if you’d be happy eating your way through this exciting country – or whether you’d come home a bit thinner!

What’s the food in Cuba really like?

This morning, Mrs Romance has treated me with a very impressive breakfast. The first meal of the day is usually down to me, but not today. Working wonders with the Protein Bread Company’s pancake mix, a couple of bananas, a drop of maple syrup and some coconut, I reckon I’ll be good to go till dinner time… as long as it’s an early dinner of course!

Tonight, Mrs R and our gorgeous friend Stacey are off to a black carpet event – they’re going to the premier of 50 Shades of Grey. No wonder they look so happy!

We’re in Bondi Junction this morning to see my mate Dave’s new venture. He’s opening the Raw Lab Kitchen soon – it’s going to be a restaurant that only serves food that’s been exposed to a maximum of 60 degrees C. This is their veggie burger that I’m about to plough into. It doesn’t smell of much, but I’ve got a feeling the flavours are going to be amazing.

[Just so you know, moments after this photo, there was no burger left. The flavours are as vibrant as the colours in this baby and you feel healthier after you’ve eaten it – highly recommended – J]

I’m back in my spiritual home this afternoon. I love the Royal Albert Hotel, Surry Hills. Such a great vibe about the place – and of course the beers are pretty good too.

I’ve just had a quick chat with Mick, the landlord, and he’s just told me some very exciting news. It’s still early just yet, but let me just say you might be finding the goodness of this very special pub elsewhere in Sydney in the very near future!

It’s finally Valentine’s Day! Hooray. Well, maybe not quite that excited, but it’s a pretty good day still. Mrs R is about to demolish this – the big veggie breakfast – at Two Good Eggs in Surry Hills. Of course, I’ve ordered Goats on Toast – as you might have heard, I’m a bit of a fan!

This afternoon we’ve taken a (rather chilly and splashy) ferry out to Watsons Bay. We’re really looking forward to be here – the Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel is having a Valentine’s Day feast ’50 Shades of Bay’ to celebrate V Day. There’s a sit-down degustation option or – the one we’ve gone for – the picnic pack option.

Of course, we’re here a little early, just to get into the spirit of things!

And here it is. Our picnic with one of the best views in Sydney. The food from Watsons Bay Hotel is absolutely delicious. Beautiful tiger prawns, cute charcuterie skewers, prawn and avocado sliders, a cut fruit platter and a selection of artisan cheeses to finish off. Oh and a bottle of Chandon of course, darling!

Sadly – shortly after the prawns in fact – the rain starts and we run for a bus. But that’s ok. Much like our 2nd idea for a last-minute V Day treat, we get home, set up the picnic blanket in the front room, put The Goonies on the TV and settle in! What a great way to spend the most romantic day of the year.

Cheers!

How did you spend your Valentine’s Day? What do you think of this whole 50 Shades of Grey thing? Do you have a breakfast go-to whenever you go out for a feed? 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!