{ STYLE } Take Me to Paris

After my experience last night at P'tite Ardoise Bistro, I'm even more determined to visit the City of Love one day. For now, I'll just have to imagine what it will be like- seeing all the beautiful monuments, visiting little cafes and bakeries, eating escargots and nomming on pretty macaroons.

So last night was my bf's birthday dinner. I wanted to take him to P'tite Ardoise after all the amazing reviews I read on Urbanspoon. Already upon approaching the restaurant, we were greeted with the cutest little set up! The atmosphere overall was really great. Even though the restaurant is really quite small and squished, the staff and food really make up for it.

This place is really authentic yet modern at the same time. From the French-speaking staff and decor, I really felt I was in Parisian bistro but once the food came out, I was amazed at how perfectly presented it was. Really a true fine dining experience!

Entree of Escargots & Duck Liver Pate - not the typical escargot covered with garlic oil that I'm so used to. Instead, they were immersed in a creamy garlic tomato-y sauce and topped with a crusty bread. So delicious and flavoursome!!

My main of Filet Mignon- WA Beef tenderloin wrapped in streaky bacon, fondant potato, shiraz jus and bearnaise - the beef was cooked medium rare which was just to my liking and how I think beef should be cooked. It was so tender and juicy! The potatoes were okay. They were cooked well and not to mushy. The bearnaise had a nice tangy punch to it. Overall a really impressive dish.

 His main of Tournedo Rossini- WA Beef tenderloin, foie gras, mushroom duxella, red wine jus served on mashed potato - how pretty is this plating! a really rich and indulgent dish with the creamy mash and the foie gras. I tried a bit and it was really tasty! I think he liked it too since he finished the whole plate : )

By this time, we were stuffed but couldn't pass up on dessert. Everyone's been raving about their Creme Brulee and they were not kidding! One of the best creme brulees I've ever tried- it was super creamy and smooth and the sugary goodness on top...omg. Just delicious. The Eiffel Tower shortbread tasted average but it really made the dish a lot more special.

And...here's my OOTN! Super obsessed with this skirt from Beginning Boutique.

Collared blouse from ROMWE | Skirt from Beginning Boutique (sold out) | Metal spiked belt from TOBI | Charles & Keith heels | Dotti cardigan | Prada Saffiano Lux Tote

P'tite Ardoise Bistro is located @ 283 Beaufort St, Perth, WA 6003. I would definitely recommend booking beforehand to avoid any disappointments!

Talk to you soon,
xo Laura

{ YUM! } Dinner Date at Modo Mio

So last night I treated my man to a lovely birthday dinner at Modo Mio- a modern Italian fine dining restaurant. This was my second time dining at Modo Mio and I have to say it was a much better experience than the previous. Not only did I have the best company but the food was significantly better! Since they do call themselves an Italian restaurant, I thought their pasta would be a great choice to try. I was very disappointed therefore steering away from this option last night.

Getting ready. My makeup and part of my outfit for the night! My go-to eye makeup look for a night out : )

Modo Mio has one of the best interiors I have ever seen for a restaurant. Absolutely stunning. Really elegant and classy.

Garlic bread for starters. So freakin' delicious! So much flavour and a great crunch to the bread. Love the sprinkle of parmesan.

My main- the pan fried barramundi fillet with eggplant sauce, garlic oil broccolini and crystal potato. The fish was cooked to absolute perfection! It was so soft and silky. Great amount of flavour in each of the components of the dish. Definitely recommend this one!

My boy's main- the black angus beef tenderloin, marsala wine sauce, winter vegetables and truffle flavoured crisps. The beef was cooked medium rare which was perfect. I tried the beef and it was so tender, still retaining its flavour and not dry at all. Nothing worse than over-cooked and dry meat! Wish they added more sauce though. 

Cocktails- his peach bellini and my strawberry & mint concoction. I recommend the strawberry cocktail- I don't exactly remember the ingredients except for the strawberries, mint and vodka. Not too strong which is great and really refreshing! We both didn't like the peach bellini- just too overpowering and strong. I didn't really taste any peach flavours either.

We shared the chocolate fondant and vanilla icecream for dessert. Delicious but not as yummy as the chocolate fondant at Koko Black which was richer in chocolate flavour! The chocolate oozey gooey centre at Koko Black was also way more epic, Modo Mio's was a tad runnier which I didn't care for. I want it gooey goddammit! 

For anyone interested, here is Modo Mio's site where you are able to view their menus and make online reservations which I highly recommend! Don't expect to turn up and get a table! Although on the pricier end of the scale, I will definitely return especially because of the high quality of food presented and the ambience.

Food: 4/5

Atmosphere: 4/5

Service: 4/5

Price: 3/5

That's all for now. Have a lovely week ahead!

xo Laura

{ YUM! } Nine Fine Food : Modern Japanese

Fine dining & modern japanese food?

I recently tried Nine Fine Food for the first time last night. I heard quite a lot of good things about this place so of course I was excited to try it out! Now, I'm not a hugeee fan of modern japanese food...not too keen on them tweaking traditional japanese cooking and giving it a western influence. Just my opinion although I quite enjoyed my culinary experience at Nine Fine Food.

We ordered the 'Tokutoku' set menu which is a three course menu with entree, main course and dessert. Menu, prices and all that here. We planned on sharing everything anyway so we ordered different dishes.

Entrees:

Sashimi : "9 various tasting size fresh sashimi, seafood and fish, tuna, salmon, prawn, squid & more"

Really fresh seafood and flavoursome condiments. Definitely recommend this one for sashimi lovers!

Beef Tataki : "light grilled tenderloin beef fillets (rare), truffle mixed yakumi condiments, chilli lemon soy dressing"

Beef was well cooked. Really tender although the dressing needed a bit more flavour.

Mains (these are the daily specials so they don't appear on the normal menu):

Oceans East: "butter sauteed white fish fillets, caramelized freshwater eels, crispy panko coated oysters, light grilled scallop"

Nice overall seafood dish although a bit disjointed- so many different flavours on one plate. LOVED the panko coated oysters...has a great crunch! the white fish fillets had a really nice flavour but was a bit tough. Eel tastes like the usual unagi in those bento boxes. Scallop was well cooked.

Beef & Reef : "grilled tender ridge beef sirloin, lightly fried barramundi fillets, grilled chilli tiger prawn and scallop with spiced creamy sesame sauce"

Like the other main, also found this a bit disjointed- too many elements on the plate! I didn't care for the beef sirloin..got cold quickly and flavour was ok-ish. The fried barramundi fillets were average. Really nice flavour with the chilli prawns though and scallops were well cooked.

Desserts (ordered an extra dessert to try!):

Left: Tiramisu "creamy tiramisu, bitter coffee"
Right: Matcha Brulee "light torched green tea custard brulee"

My fave is the matcha brulee! OMG the custard was so creamy and velvety! Nice green tea flavour though I wouldn't mind a bit more. The caramelized sugar on top...freakin heaven. LOVE the sugary crunch. I recommend this one!

Tiramisu was nice and light. Not too much cream which is good. Silky texture of cream and a good balance of the coffee and rum flavour.

Kuro Goma Gelato : "black sesame gelato, mixed nuts"

Not too keen on black sesame but this gelato was a refreshing and cool end to the meal. Black sesame flavour was good, not too strong. The mixed nuts provided a yummy crunchy contrast to the soft gelato!

My verdict:

Food: 3.5/5

Atmosphere: 3.5/5
Service: 3.5/5
Price: 3/5

Would I come back again? Yeah why not. I want to try a few of their other entrees and mains..and definitely for the matcha brulee! Oh and I also just realised they have another dessert =.= "azuki red bean, fresh banana and chocolate in hot spring roll with vanilla icecream" *drools*

Nine Fine Food is located at:
227 Bulwer Street
Highgate Perth WA

Bookings are recommended. They are pretty packed!


Happy eating!