Watershed washout

So a couple months of ago the girls and I headed down to Margaret River for a weekend driving down at 730 in the morning stopping by at Busselton to walk the jetty before checking in and then heading to a winery, more specifically Watershed to grab some lunch and of course, bottles of wine.

The grounds of watershed, like most places in Margaret River was lovely. The restaurant overlooks the vineyard, which provided the perfect setting for the start of the girlie weekend. However, the view was about the only thing that was served right.

The vineyard at the back of the restaurant. It really was a lovely, idyllic view. 

The way weekend getaways should be.

For a Saturday afternoon, the place wasn't too busy so the lacklustered service seemed unacceptable. Water wasn't placed or offered for the table, the service was slow, we waited about 30 minutes for someone to take our order, than almost an hour for our mains to come.

Both O and A grabbed the beef fillet with mushrooms and truffle shavings, while I got the duck, and T wasn't hungry so got the entree of seafood croquette.

O's and A's beef fillet with musrooms and truffle shavings - beef was overcooked 

although the truffle shavings were generous it just didn't tie well with the sauce or the meal.

This was supposed to the Duck Confit - it was crispy (which I have no problems about) but I do have a problem when the duck meat itself is dry and almost tastes burnt - definitely overcooked.

This was probably the best dish - but really most deep fried food is.

The saving grace and probably the only good thing about going to Watershed was their wines. They are just fantastic. We ended up going to the cellar after taking a few photos and grabbed ourselves 6 bottles.

Holiday blues

My boyfriend drives me crazy. And not necessarily in a good way. Sometimes being stuck with just one person on a holiday sucks big time. I can tell you he wouldn't win the amazing race anytime soon. He can be such a sook!

Paris Marais Falafel

I'm spending my first night in the city of lights, one of the most romantic and idyllic cities in the world, Paris!

Despite having had a massive day I'm not sleepy and it's past midnight. Alas it means I must blog.

Instead of blogging about my trip I'm going to review tonight's very late dinner in Paris. We ventured into the heart and soul of Marais and i have determined to find the famous falafel restaurant (and of course the local's favorite dine in and take away venue, and the New York Time's and Rick Steve's favorite falafel restaurant), L'As Du Falafel.

The restaurant is just your local restaurant, almost hearty fast food like hawkers. Small, intimate, not necessarily 100% clean but packed to the brim with local French and some international diners. There is also a take away area at the front of the restaurant which had a line when we got there at 9pm. The restaurant itself was also packed out.

They served us with plastic plate and folk but that was only really needed to stop the spillage! Bf and I had the pita sandwich. I opted for a vegetarian falafel special while bf had it with lamb. It came out folded like a pocket in baking paper served by one the guys from the restaurant who just held the pocket in his hands.

The serving was generous, more than enough. There was plenty of falafel in the pocket of pita bread and plenty if lamb too!! Lots of vegetables and sauce (but not too much that it soaked through the bread.)

It really was delicious and definitely worth saying the best in the world. The falafel was cooked beautiful not dried out and the coating was not too thick that you lose out of actually tasting the falafel. The lamb was also cooked superbly and not dry or tough.

Although downside is that it's hard to eat, although I suppose that's also the excitement and the fun of it too!

To top it off I got to sit next to two very nice French girls who comes to the place often and recommended me their favorite dishes on the menu, one of which I tried tonight and if I get a chance again I might get the chicken that she recommended. One of them agreed that the servings are large but she is so used to eating and lives it so much that she always feels as though she should eat two!

I must say if I get peckish during the day and I'm around Marais or get peckish at night, I hope to make it down from our hotel and cross a few blocks and grab a take away! It's that hearty, yummy and satisfying! To top it off it's cheap-ish eat (7-8 euros) not snotty it's warm friendly and welcoming, although it feels a but rushed, but at least your food is served quickly.

Ps don't bother with sides of chips like we did. Although we did manage to finish the fries too, but it's just over kill.

Resting after hunting Lochness Monster at Morag's Lodge

I'm blogging on my phone at Morag's lodge - which by the way is an awesome spacious hostel in Lochness Scotland UK. Highly recommend it!

Our driver and guide - Alan with Hamish the hairy highland cow

I can't believe I'm 10 days into my holiday! Absolutely loving Scotland, really which I have more time.

View from the bus.. the Scottish countryside

Have tried various haggis dishes (below is a haggis on top of a venison patty burger). At the moment I am waiting around until we walk down a few blocks to learn more about the ways of the Highlanders!