Jim's Home Page

Mmmm, Sugaroom Restaurant for lunch today. I had a Capari and soda while we perused the menu, just because I hadn't had one for so long. Ah, always a good way to start a meal.

The menu, while not extensive, certainly covers all the bases. I started with celeriac soup with oxtail confit and a beetroot jus. I really wanted to eat this, as I'd just done a celeriac soup for a friend of mine, and wanted to compare the two. Mine was a little simpler, but I was happy to say that I got the soup right. I hadn't considered oxtail as a set-off for this dish, but it worked perfectly. I wanted to lick the plate. And the next time I make this soup, I'll be looking for an oxtail from the butcher...

Second up, I had the roast lamb with white beans, baby turnips and carrots. We ordered a side of beans with parmesen and pine nuts. And to wash it down, a bottle of 2007 Penley Estate Gryphon Merlot.

The lamb was tasty and tender, and the veggies paired with it nicely. Other dishes were pan fried squid with chorizo and rocket for starters; pork confit with roast fennel, cauliflower puree and salsa verde, and grain fed beef fillet with sauteed mushrooms and potato dauphinoise for mains.

I'd like to go back here at night when the lights of Balmain would be a nice outlook.

OK, I never comment on politics on this site. With this exception: Julia Gillard is an idiot when it comes to computer related things. I've just watched an interview with her on the subject of "cyber-bullying". Not only did she waffle, avoid answering direct questions, (insert standard policical avoidence tactic here), but she obviously didn't even understand the issue that she was not answering questions on. Can't wait for a double dissolution or the next federal election so I can not vote for her or any party that she is associated with.

While I'm on the subject, the entire Labor Party seems to be clueless when it comes to things computer related. Case in point is Stephen Conroy, the federal minister for communications. You know the bloke, the one who's attempting to get ISPs to implement mandatory web filtering. Nope, don't listen to industry experts or the community. Just plow on regardless. And here I was under the impression that our elected officials should implement the will of the people...