Shane On The Go

Sunday, 12 July 2009

Copernicus and the trevalla (blue eyed cod)

Alfonsino

Wandering around the Fish Markets bopping/head banging to Triple J's Hottest 100 of all time.
Throw Your Arms Around Me by Hunters And Collectors on now. Fuck it has been good so far.

Madhouse at the fish markets today but the marron are fresh

Fucking busy. I like it better during the week when it is quiet.

Friday, 10 July 2009

Universal 6

Piccolo, single origin (India) and sweet butter shortbreads FTW.

Universal 5

Little miss muffet - something with Pedro Jimenez sherry jelly and candied rhubarb.
Black beauty - chocolate mousse, candied cumquats and caramel peanut butter brittle.

Universal 3

Trevalla with pomegranate.
Green chilli and galangal braised wagyu beef shin,
prawn floss, wing beans and mint... and marrow. Sweet delicious delicate marrow. OMG.

Universal 2

Soft shell mud crab.
Chicken broth with wontons. Very hot soup. Like tom Yum goong.

Universal

Christine Manfield’s Universal is a 2 hat restaurant in Darlinghurst. Grubs up.
Prawn cerviche with palm sugar popcorn.
Smoked ocean trout with tea smoked oysters and green apple salad.

Wednesday, 8 July 2009

Cadbury Chocolates Current Condition Causes Consumer Complaint

Cadbury recently changed the packaging on their Dairy Milk range of chocolate. In the their wisdom they've apparently deleted the classic 250 gram Family Block from their line up and replaced it with the new cardboard box packaged 200 gram blocks. Anything smaller than 250 grams just ain't worth opening. Not only that, shock horror, it looks like they, or the retailers, are charging about the same amount for the 200 gram blocks as the old 250 gram Family Blocks. Worse still, it ain't as good as before. In particular the Hazelnut chocolates. The hazelnuts are severely lacking on the previous version of the chocolates. It is like eating nuts that have been stepped on and then swept up off the floor.
I love my Dairy Milk chocolates. It is my favourite mass production chocolate anywhere. We've been able to pick up Cadbury Dairy Milk around the world it has been consistently good, creamy and rich. The New Zealand version is the best, followed by our own Australian version and then UK/European. The Kenyan made was okay too. I reckon the slight differences between the international versions is the quality of the milk available to the local manufacturers.
Well I've sent off my complaint to Cadbury. I don't expect much in reply but, hey, someone should register a protest and let 'em know that at least one person is disappointed. My complaint letter follows:
Cadbury Dairy Milk and specifically Cadbury Dairy Milk Hazelnut chocolates have always been my favourite chocolates however I wish to register my displeasure for the new packaging and quality of the new 200 gram blocks of Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolates.

I am very disappointed that the 250 gram Family Blocks, or larger, blocks of Dairy Milk appear to have disappeared from sale.
The 200 gram Dairy Milk Hazelnut block is too thin and is therefore not able to support whole hazelnuts, or large pieces of hazelnut, like the old 250 gram Dairy Milk Hazelnut Family Blocks could.
The small crushed hazelnut pieces in the new 200 gram blocks seem gritty and not fresh. They're not as well roasted or crispy or nutty or chunky as the nuts in the old 250 gram Family Blocks. Instead of looking forward to the hazelnut pieces they are now unpleasant to chew and have an inconsistent and sometimes unpleasant flavour. The lack of freshness and the grittiness is a major concern.
The new packaging is annoying. The old paper wrapping was distinctive and easy to unwrap and use. Even the more recent foil wrapper was preferable.
The 200 gram block that has replaced the 250 gram Family Blocks is thinner and less appealing. Now it looks and feels like every other brand on the market.
The 200 gram block is more expensive now. It is similarly priced to the old 250 gram Family Blocks. I've purchased Dairy Milk from a number from Coles, Woolworths and IGA stores.

I am very disappointed with the apparent reduction of quality of the product coinciding with the release of the new packaging. We seem to be paying more for a product that is smaller and doesn't taste as good. That is, we are getting less quality, less quantity and paying more for the privilege.

Too much time on my hands? Maybe.

Tuesday, 7 July 2009

Bye Bye Big Bad Barry... Bugger :-(

Barry Hall is quitting the Swans. Sad face. :-(
Lots on the news here and here and photos here.
Getting suspended two weeks ago for a fairly minor indiscretion was obviously the last straw for the Swans hierarchy. Barry and the club have decided to part ways, effective immediately. It is a bugger really. Up to the point he thumped Ruttin in what will be Barry's last game for the Swans he was arguably the best player on the ground. The Bulldogs have shown some interest in taking him on next year. Hopefully Barry will remain fit and get to pull on the boots for another season. It is a bloody pity he won't be seeing out his career with the Swans. He deserved to being a Premiership captain n'all.
We'll miss you Barry.
Jesus I hope we don't pick up Fevola now.