A new Nixon - Say hello to Lucas

Georgia has a new cousin. Yesterday, 10 months to the day after Georgy came into the world Lucas Nixon popped out. A reasonably weighted 3470 grams. Lucas is the first Nixon cousin for Georgia and yet another boy cousin joining the the 3 Garoni boys and the Pace boy.
Congratulations Gerard and Jasmine.

Georgia was a bit over it after a while but she was happy to meet the baby

Lucas Oliver Nixon. 1 day old.

PULP

I've wanted to see PULP for, I dunno, forever. Jarvis toured solo last year but that only whetted the appetite. So it was nice surprise when this current tour was announced. I think the last time they toured Australia was back in 1998. Actually I think the last time they toured at all was 2002. Jarvis proved he was the consummate performer last year and only enhanced his reputation this time around. All the classics were here but it was a pity they couldn't get the Shatner out to do his cover of Common People (see bottom video below - great for Lulz). PULP were in a word awesome. In two words, fucking awesome. Brit pop at its finest.









The Videos

Disco 2000


Common People


Shatner covering Common People

So there's something in there?

More food porn by Michelle - warning: contains fresh truffles

To die for cheese stuffed ravioli dripping with a burnt butter and sage sauce liberally sprinkled with fresh truffle shavings. Love truffle season.

Playing with Daddy's glasses while he is out...

Sophisticated? Moi?

I love my new sexytary too.

Marque Restaurant

Georgia's grandparents flew up from Melbourne for a couple of days so we thought, fine, you can baby sit while we go out. So we did. To one of Australia's best restaurants - Marque. It has been a while since we've been here, 2009 I think, and it has been 7 months since just the two of us have been out for a meal. There was no way we weren't going to go he whole hog and not have the full degustation menu. Michelle took it easy on the wines but, hey, I'm not breast feeding so I went for the full complement of matching wines too.

Marque, according to Australian Gourmet Traveller, is the number one restaurant in Australia. It is indeed mighty fine. As fine as the delicate and totally scrummy dishes chef Mark Best dishes up. Starting with..

Bonito with Foie Gras & Potato


Almond Jelly with Blue Swimmer Crab, Almond Gazpacho, Sweet Corn & Avruga
2009 Niepoort 'Tiara' Codega/Rabigato/Donzelino, Douro, Portugal


Warm Oyster with Braised Abalone, Citrus Salad & Cocoa
2008 D. de Belliviere, Chenin Blanc, Jasnieres, Loire Valley, France


Poached Calamari with Lardo & Black Radish
Toro Albala, 'Olorosso Viejo' Pedro Ximenez, Montilla-Moriles, Spain


Duck Egg with Globe Artichoke, Mint & Radicchio
2010 Farr Rising 'Saignee' Pinot Noir, Geelong, Vic


Luscious isn't it.


Pigeon with Mullet Roe, Sauteed Lettuce, Cucumber & Dill
2009 Beatrice & Pascal Lambert 'Tradition Graves' Cabernet Franc, Chinon, France


Grain Fed Wagyu Sirloin with Onion, Black Tea & Stem Salad
2008 A.A. E. Piro & Figli, Barbara d'Alba Superiore, Piemont, Italy


We arrived for the final sitting so by the time we finished we were the last ones in the restaurant. It's kind of nice having a restaurant to yourself.


Pre dessert cocktail that for the life of me I can't remember what was in it.


Sauternes Custard served in an egg. One of Mark Best's signature dishes is an amuse bouche, Chaud-Froid Free Range Egg (Alain Passard 1998) - Egg, cream, sherry, maple syrup & grissini for dipping, but when it didn't appear this time I was slightly disappointed. But this custard egg almost made up for it.


Roast Pineapple with Szechuan Pepper & Manjimup Black Truffle
'Greedy Hunter'


Salted Caramel Chocolate, Lemon Drops & Bitter Bon Bons

According to Marque due to environmental concerns Marque no longer use bottled mineral water. They've installed a chilled, filtered, carbonated water system and, as far as water can be, it was delicious. A very light carbonation like the best Italian or French mineral waters. Five bucks a person is a small price to pay for this exquisite water.

Marque Restaurant is at 4/5 355 Crown Street Surry Hills and has been awarded 3 Hats by the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide.

A mild Winter's morning in Redfern