It’s been a funny little week this week. Monday being a public holiday has really put us out of kilter. I think I think I’ve checked my phone about 30 times this week to check what day it is!
It’s not such a bad thing though. When I think it’s Sunday, it’ll only be Saturday!
For some reason, we’re not that hungry tonight. That’s a bit of luck because we haven’t been shopping and there’s nothing in the cupboards. What we do have is a pot of Persian feta that we bought when we were in Mudgee recently. It’s only a little snack, but it’s perfect for what we want.
It’s also delicious and goes really well with these gluten free crackers we’ve discovered.
Mrs Romance is up early today for her run. The Fleet Steps overlooking the harbour are really popular with nutters just like Mrs R who enjoy running up and down stairs a whole load of times. Perhaps it’s because I was brought up in a house that the novelty just isn’t there for me.
And at the same time, Mrs R grew up in a single level house, so perhaps stairs are still an intrigue to her. It’s the only way I can rationalise this type of exercise… but then I suppose she thinks the same about my playing football.
Tonight the iconic Marble Bar, which is part of the Hilton Sydney, is having a relaunch. It’s an incredible venue. The beautiful original features of this underground bar are the same as when it was opened in 1893. It’s one of the places we love to take our visitors to when they’re new to town.
Up until now, the music here hasn’t been the best, but the restyle of this launch is more swing and blues, and the revitalised whiskey menu is so much more in keeping with the old world elegance of the interior. The whiskies on offer here – around 70 in all – are from all over the world and range in price from $9.50 to an eye-watering $49 a nip.
Still, the venue is so slick and has such a great feel, I’d recommend a drink here to anyone.
Our friend Caroline – also known as The Gin Queen – is in town and staying with us over the next few days. We head out for a bit of lunch and find our way to Single Origin Roasters cafe in Surry Hills. Their coffee is excellent, but their food is pretty amazing too.
We’ve all ended up ordering the same thing, and I think that’s a great idea – there’s nothing worse that food envy after all.
This is sticky slow-cooked pork with ribboned vegetable salad and these rice and black sesame croutons that are absolutely excellent.
Tonight we’re heading to the Night Noodle Markets in Hyde Park. They’ve been going for about 14 years now and herald the start of Sydney Good Food Month. We’ve also managed to score tickets to the Citi VIP section, which is pretty cool. It’s still insanely busy in there, but a bit more civilised than what’s going on over the fence!
This is the first time that the Night Noodle Markets have been open every evening for the 16 days it’s running, so get down there and see what the record number of stalls are cooking this year.
For more information about the noodle markets and the Good Food Weeks, check out our 5 Foodie Finds post here.
A common sight at the Night Noodle Markets – the Chinese dragons. They leap around to the sound of a (very loud) drum and are a sign of luck and blessings. This year, they’re lit up in glowing lights. Pretty cool, huh?
We’re off to the main event of the week tonight – and this is the main reason The Gin Queen‘s up from Victoria is to go to our friend’s birthday – and the birthday of her business, Nip of Courage. We’re quite excited – it should be a great party.
On the train platform in, however, we discover the party has already started! This guy has not only deliberately grown a rat’s tail that’s over a foot long, he’s got someone to braid it for him. It’s too much for my IG alter-ego Angry Bastard, so here’ s the published product of his zeal for outing the ridiculous.
I forgot to mention, our friend’s party is ’70s themed – we don’t usually dress like this… well The Gin Queen might! 😉
The birthday girl, Kathleen, is such a lovely lady. Her birthday party is so much fun, the cake’s awesome and the attention to detail at this party is phenomenal.
She’s hired a company called Trolley’d to serve cocktails. They’re a mobile bar firm that uses the trolleys from passenger planes and the bar staff all wear pilot and crew uniforms. It’s a brilliant concept and a lot of fun.
They’re using the products that her company, Nip of Courage, distributes. You see, Kathleen’s company is a distribution company for Australian craft spirits, and they’re all amazing! Here’s what we’ve got to say about one of the spirits Nip of Courage works with: Whipper Snapper Distillery.
Kathleen has also organised the catering: the best hotdogs I’ve had for a long long time. And yes, I used the plural ‘hotdogs’ on purpose! If you’re organising a party and you want something completely different foodwise, check out Hot Didely Dogs.
Hot Didely Dogs have such a cool brand, naming their different hotdogs after actual dogs. So the ‘Bulldog’ is hot English mustard with sweetcorn and cheese and the ‘Mongrel’ is simply your choice of any 3 fillings. But my favourite is the ‘Dachshund’ with tomato relish, chili and cheese splashed with tabasco.
Kath also hired a Mr Whippy van to come and play Greensleaves to us. Mmm! Choc top with a flake!
We’ve had the best evening – and what do you think of my new hair do, by the way? Happy birthday Kath, and happy 1st birthday to Nip of Courage too.
As you’d expect, it’s a pretty slow start this morning. I mean we were just at a major birthday party for a spirit distributor! All three of us – Mrs Romance, The Gin Queen and me – have all just about managed to force ourselves out to find food. It’s our last meal with Caroline before she heads back to Melbourne. See you again soon, CC!
Now we’re just trying to take stock of the full-length week we’ve got ahead of us – though we’ve got some pretty cool things on the way!
How was your week? Did you go to any parties? When was the last time you had a choc top icecream?! Tell us in the comments!
Sonia from Sonia Styling
I felt off kilter all last week too! No idea what day of the week it was. Loved seeing you guys in your 70s getup – so groovy baby!
Mr Romance
Strange, wasn’t it, Sonia?! Very confusing. Glad you liked our looks – it was a little confusing having hair again, I must say!
Jxx
The Style Loop | Hair Romance
[…] what I got up to last week with Jim, we had so much fun at our friend’s 70s […]