This blog is all about me......I come here for respite in between caring for JoJo (our Daughter who has Special Needs)......I am addicted to starting new projects......I am becoming a fabric-a-holic... I love to try out recipes... take a beach walk and breathe in that salty blue air......love to have coffee...sip a glass of champagne......read a book......I am Queen of the Armchair and am inspired by all the wonderful blogs out there!!!

Monday, February 20, 2012

~It's All About JoJo...La Scala Restaurant or The Phantom Mask~

We had an unexpected trip up to Canberra a few weeks ago...
JoJo had been looking at this Restaurant sign for months...
Everytime we went there...it was full...or the kitchen had just shut so this time I made an effort to get there at mid day...
What attracted her was the masked signage...
She calls it The Phantom Mask and she was so excited this time that we were on time!!!


Signage before entering...


Even though it wasn't Christmas it didn't stop JoJo wearing this tshirt...


Looking from the back of the restaurant to the front...


Our table was the end one at the back...


All around the room were these masks...which added to it all...
JoJo loves masks!!!









The menu...




Some of the wines on offer...


JoJo had King Prawns wrapped in Bacon...finished with Garlic, Wine, Cream and a pinch of Chilli...
Served with a Thimbal of Saffron Rice...
She looooves Prawns...


I chose Scallopina La Scala...
Veal Scallops with Bacon, Garlic, Chilli and Cream...
Very very tasty!!!



Chocolate Ice Cream for JoJo..


Casino Citrus...
Grand Marnier flavoured Ice Cream topped with Pistachio Nuts...
served with an Orange and Grand Marnier Sauce...
All so delicious!!!



We had a wander around and found there were many rooms to this Ristorante...
If I'm correct it was named after the famous Opera House of Milan......(above)...




Gorgeous dark setting...




A great idea JoJo......I think we'll have to do this again...
perhaps for somebody's birthday!!!


And check this out...
My Sister gave us a Frangipani cutting 2 years ago......(after we had bought an expensive one which didn't make it) and it has flowered...
just beautiful with a lovely 'beachy' smell...

And stay tuned...we have just had the most amazing week...

A Wedding in Sydney......Congratulations Damien and Thanh
A Roger Waters Concert......Thank you so much James and Danelle

A very special weekend (just the 2 of us) at Rick Stein's at Bannisters with James and Danelle giving us a bit of respite so very much needed...
how wonderful to just be able to laze about.......and enjoy being a couple...walking at our own pace......doing things when we are ready
And generally enjoying some 'freedom'......Something so very rare for us 
We rarely get away just the 2 of us...
I would be happy with a weekend away once a year!!!

Thank you so very very much James and Danelle...
We absolutely loved it...
This was a gift from James and Danelle for Mr Armchairs 'big' birthday last year which was glossed over as I broke my arm right in the middle of it...

I'll be back with pics of it all...

20 comments:

Rachaeldaisy said...

That restaurant looks fantastic!!! Delicious menu and I wouldn't mind tasting those wines. The masks add so much atmosphere and character. All the other things you've been up to sound fun too!

Sandi said...

Looks like a beautiful restaurant, and the food looks gorgeous! What a wonderful dining experience for you both!

Anonymous said...

what yummy meals you and Jo Jo had,what a beautiful place.xx

Nat Palaskas said...

It looks great Dzintra. Glad you made it there finally. I love masks too and this restaurant has all the cute ones. Glad JoJo enjoyed it - Love Nat

ria vogelzang said...

Love your pictures! And the t-shirt JoJo is wearing! :)
What a lovely restaurant!
And what a busy girl you are! Enjoy!!

Terry said...

Good choice Jojo. I always like going to lunch with my girls. When they were young and now that they are all grown up.

The rest of the adventures sound great.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

GOOD MORNING DZINTRA!!!!!!

OK, this is too wonderful. An Italian restaurant, with such ambiance? PERFECT! And I bet sweet JoJo just enjoyed her prawns! Gosh that looks so good! Italian is my absolute favorite cuisine, followed by French Provençal, which is heavily influenced to Italian. Ahhhhhhh....what a great season it is, isn't it dear one? AND I was just thinking that soon, our BIRTHDAYS are coming! The SISTAHOOD is going on tour this year! Be ready!

Enjoy YOUR day my friend. Anita

Fer said...

What a lovely looking place, especially that wine collection!

Palomasea said...

How wonderfully fun, darling Dzintra!
So happy that this has been an exciting time of delicious adventure..love seeing your pictures!
And I can just imagine what a joyful meal this was for you and JoJo..looks so yummy, and the restaurant is beautiful.
Love and hugs across the miles,
- Irina :)

Kath said...

Looks like a great time was had by all. The food looks very special and what wonderful surroundings.I'm so happy you had a weekend on your own, a chance to renew the romance :-)

A Magical Whimsy said...

Oh! That restaurant looked divine! And the food! Wow!
I am happy you had some time alone with your hubby...I too have the same kind of life. It's hard to find someone to watch Ty. He usually goes everywhere with us. I guess that is our life, huh. I'm used to it, but people really don't realize how easy they have it when all of their grown kids get married. Oh, and I am older than you are. I had Ty right after my 42nd birthday, the last birdie in the nest. He just turned twenty last November. My oldest son, Troy, is getting married in April. And I am a Nana too. My oldest married daughter had our first grandson who is now 19 months old. So we do have a lot in common, you and I.
Smiles ;)
Have a lovely week!
Teresa in California

Bev C said...

Hello Dzintra,
A great review of the restaurant, hope you let them know about this so they can treat you both next time!!! Love that JoJo had a great time, Christmas is in her heart all year round.
Happy days.
Bev.xoxo

p.s. love the frangipani, ours hasn't flowered yet.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Dear Dzintra,

May the Spring of eternal joy always bloom in your home and heart!!!! THANK YOU FOR VISITING ME DEAR FRIEND....how is JoJo? Enjoy your weekend my dear.....Anita

Palomasea said...

Oh,right after our darling Anita...
Sweet, beautiful Dzintra, so wonderful to see you stop by my place!
I hope your weekend is one of great joy..
Love and hugs,
- Irina

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Oh precious one, that is good to hear that she is well! And the love and care you give will come back to you and probably already has, A HUNDREDFOLD! BLESSINGS to you on this day! Anita

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

And may you have a wonderful week, Dzintra! WE ARE ALMOST MARCH!!!!! Then, comes our birthday month! The Sistahood is once again going somewhere!!! Anita

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

YES! YOU ARE THE 100th!!!! HUGS TO YOU on this FINE MONDAY SISTA!!! Anita

Victoria said...

Beautiful post..yummy too! and woah..love those gorgeous masks..everything stunning and dazzzling!
Shine on friend!
Hugs
Victoria

Lynn said...

Love this post! What a fun time it looks like, JoJo has good taste!

Margaret said...

A Frangipani , that says a lot the scent is something else. Love the masks and great to see you having a ball.

Welcome To My World

Hello, my name is Dzintra Ingrid ... have been known as Ingrid and since our Sea Change I have started to use Dzintra ... pronounced without the D ... (but still known as Ingrid, I know, it's confusing ...)

Welcome to my world ... a journal of our Sea Change ... Mum to three wonderful children ... bringing up a daughter with a disability and seeing life through her eyes ... being a new Nanna ... photos ... inspiring quotes ... taking on a cookery course ... the odd recipe ... and trying to get some stitching done amongst all this ...