Venice Beach, California

Restaurant: The Sidewalk Cafe
Find it at: 1401 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291

My second visit to California included an hour drive to Venice Beach, some Chilli Cheese Fries, drinks on the hotel rooftop and some big slice pizza with sesame crust!

I was lucky enough to have the lovely Adriana, Gabrielle and Jessica with me for this 35 hour trip. After getting off a 13 hour flight we had one hour of sleep before I took on the challenge of driving to Venice Beach from Costa Mesa. I had forgotten how nerve-wracking a six lane freeway could be! Nevertheless, we made it there in one piece, checked into the Hotel Erwin and strolled on down to the Boardwalk. The place was buzzing with all sorts of characters: street dancers and singers, artists, people roller-blading, skaters and more. We settled in with Golden Cadillac Margaritas at The Sidewalk Cafe and had fun people watching and listening to the street band.

Jessica pouring our Margaritas!

A good American favourite - Chilli Cheese Fries! Yummo!

We met an interesting character names 'Juan' who was excited to show us his speciality of Fried Horses!

Enjoying the Boardwalk!

Martha Stewart's Jam Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting

Prep: 25 minutes

Total: 45 minutes, plus cooling

NOTE: this recipe is from the US so make sure you convert the measurements!

Ingredients

Makes 12

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for pan
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons whole milk
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup seedless raspberry jam
• 12 raspberries, for garnish

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 12-cup muffin pan, or use liners. Combine flour, baking powder, and 3/4 teaspoon salt. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat granulated sugar and 1/2 cup butter until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla. With mixer on low, beat in flour mixture in two parts, alternating with 1/2 cup milk.

2. Divide batter among prepared muffin cups. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of a cupcake comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Let cool in pan 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

3. Meanwhile, whisk together confectioners' sugar, cocoa, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat 1/2 cup butter until light and fluffy. With mixer on low, gradually add cocoa mixture, scraping down side of bowl as necessary. Gradually beat in 2 tablespoons milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Beat frosting until light and fluffy, about 30 seconds.

4. Using a paring knife, cut a 1-inch-deep piece from the top of each cupcake (do not discard). Fill each hole with 1 teaspoon jam and replace cutout pieces. Frost cupcakes and top with raspberries.

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Jam Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting - Martha Stewart Recipes

Newport Beach, California

Restaurant: Baja Sharkeez
Find it at: 114 McFadden Place, Newport Beach, CA 92663

My first time to Newport Beach, California was an eventful one. Five gorgeous girls, a Lakers game, one black London cab in the middle of California, twenty-four hot wings and a strawberry Margarita all over my jeans! It was all happening! Nevertheless, we had a great night cheering on the Lakers and stuffing ourselves with quesadillas, hot wings, nachos and fajitas! All washed down with very syrupy strawberry Margaritas!

London, England

Restaurant: Locanda Locatelli
Find it at: 8 Seymour Street, London W1H 7JZ

I had been wanting to try this restaurant for a while. I have been watching Giorgio Locatelli's television cooking show and also own his cookbook Made in Italy. The only disappointment was that the chef himself was not there the night I went to celebrate my birthday with my Mum and friend Nicole. We missed him by one hour! Unbelievable! Nevertheless, the night was made great by the wonderful staff there and the unforgettable food!

Hand-made porcini gnocchi with butter and sage sauce covered with shaved black truffle! 

Ah-mazing!

The birthday girls (notice my tiramisu!)

Our special birthday dessert plate!

I highly recommend this book - although a lot of the recipes are somewhat challenging! 

(Image from Locanda Locatelli)

London, England

Restaurant: Jamie's Italian, Covent Garden
Find it at: 11 Upper St Martin's Lane, London WC2H 9FB

My friend Adriana and I decided to try out celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's restaurant Jamie's Italian whilst we were in London. It turned out to be a spectacular lunch - as usual we over-ordered and were completely full when we finished! Since then I have visited the restaurant with my Mum and had another great lunch there! I highly recommend it!

Porcini Arancini and Crispy Polenta Cubes

Adriana and I

Jamie's Italian

Hong Kong

Restaurant: Aqua:Roma

Find it at: 29 & 30 Floors, One Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

also...

Restaurant: Under the Bridge Spicy Crab

Find it at: 405 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong

Hong Kong was an interesting place for food. The first day I was there I had amazing dumplings in a Tea House which we ordered using the pictures in the menu! That night I was taken to the Mandarin Oriental bar by my Uncle who lives in HK - pretty cool place - followed by garlic crab at Under the Bridge Spicy Crab. This place had the most amazing crab covered in beautifully brown roasted garlic. Unbelievable! On our final night there a few of the girls and I went to Aqua:Roma for dinner overlooking the city. Great Italian food in a very modern setting.

The view from our cable car

The largest bunch of fairy floss I've ever seen!

Amazing veal ravioli with shaved truffle!

Mainz, Germany

Restaurant: Café Pomp
Find it at: Große Bleiche 29, 55116 Mainz


also great for breakfast or any other meal:


Restaurant: Heiligeist
Find it at: Mailandsgasse 11, 55116 Mainz

Mainz (near Frankfurt) is always a good trip to go on because it means I get to see my Mum who lives in nearby Cologne! Plus, German breakfasts are my favourite kind!

Breakfast at Pomp - baguette, boiled egg, cheese, cream cheese, walnut bread, bircher museli and fresh orange juice. Who could want for anything more?!?!

The Mainz fruit and veg market

Berries galore!