Happy Mothers Day to all the wonderful mothers that put up with our tantrums, cares for us when we are sick and loves us through thick and thin! Thank you so much for everything you have done and hope we show our appreciation daily; but today just a bit more! Well technically this was a premature Mothers Day celebration as my brother is busy all of the Sunday we had a small early lunch at sort-of newly opened El Toro Loco.

The tables along the verandah had a nice view of the crystal blue water; perfect for relaxing, casual eating

The restaurant was surprisingly roomy with a great row of tables along the verandah for prime view of the water. The Spanish feel of the restaurant is proud and bold with Spanish rumba beats pumping loudly (I think the whole album was Gipsy Kings but Bem Bem Maria was the only one I recognized). Miguel Maestre, of Boys Weekend and Miguel’s Tropical Kitchen has an infectious lively personality which is seen reflected in this restaurant.  Read the rest of this entry »

Now that it is near the end of the year it means people are going on holidays to wonderful places like Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong etc etc where food is plentiful, cheap and super tasty while others (like me) are here going work work like a peon. For those who don’t know but D has actually gone away to Japanland for a few weeks so there will be ramen/tonkatsu/sushi posts a-plenty when he gets back. But before they left, it is always a good excuse to get together with a bunch of good friends and share some tapas! (aka leftovers according to some) Encasa is a pretty decent place for tapas action and they have some reasonable set menus so

Here Comes the Food

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Everybody knows that quality ingredients are necessary for making delicious and tasty meals but there are many other factors which enhance and create the perfect dining experience. The atmosphere and the view are major players and of course the awesome company that you dine with make for merry times. Chef Lex generously organized a paella part to celebrate and make most of his proud paella pan purchase.

Check out the 6 quality prawns

Pea puree in action and egg separating

Knowing full well that some of the foodbloggers won’t be full with just a paella *cough*Yas*cough* a starter was prepared.

The scallop sausages prepared for simmering

When Lex was pouring in the pure cream I could see that everybody’s eyes were saying “more more MORE” or maybe that was just me saying it out loud…

“…and then Chef Lex slowly and carefully pulled back the plastic to reveal his sausage…”

Oh baby when we first bit into this soft and luscious… sausage (hmm maybe I should refer it to as scallop boudin from now on haha ) we all gave a moan of pleasure. The texture was almost jelly-like and slightly melty in the mouth. The scallop flavour was present but not too intense and that pea puree married the boudin beautifully.

Work work… yes milord

This is what happens when Lex worked his charm and magic onto the pan; Simon and his set up hee hee

The final masterpiece in all its’ glory!

The extra wagyu on top may not be authentic but the open mussels, baby octopus, chicken pieces, chorizo and the almighty charred rice served with a dash of chopped parsley and a squeeze of fresh lemon meant this was pretty much as a fellow blogger put it “awesomeness in a pan”. Each bite meant a different combination of flavours and the contents of the pan was quickly devoured.

Feel the wrath of the pop rocks!

The awesome Steph brought us some dessert (Yayyy thanks so much ^^!). Cute little cupcake ice creams with a surprise in them…. a clump of pop rocks in the cone!Popping candy sure provides hours and hours of entertainment especially when it makes somebody giggle like a little schoolgirl hee hee. (I would have a great photo of the cross-section if not for my external dying *sniff* along with many other photos like the macarons that Simon got on a 2nd trip to Zumbos).

A huugggee thanks to Lex for the wonderful food and everybody else for making it such an awesome time ^^!

FFichiban