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!!!

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Rick Stein at Bannister's...A Break For Us!!!

February seems so long ago now...
We had a very very special weekend thanks to our our Son James and his Partner Danelle...
Last year for Mr Armchair's very significant birthday they wanted to give us a weekend away INCLUDING having JoJo whilst that was happening...

And blow me down we started to plan it all and I broke my arm...
this put me out of action for weeks...
Mr Armchair was run off his feet caring for me and JoJo...
and 12 months later we were finally able to have our weekend away...

And what a time it was...
but I must admit it took getting used to just being a couple a while...
JoJo is with us full time and we are her Carers...
for us to be able to enjoy a few hours together of just chatting and going out requires planning for Respite Care...knowing when we are going out...when we are coming back...
nothing is spontaneous for us...
sometimes is is just easier to stay home and not stress about it all...


The place we all agreed on was Rick Stein's at Bannisters...
James had to approve our choice as he wanted somewhere really nice and special for us...
After we arrived we headed off down to the pool area for a drink and a bit of lunch...
pic above is at the pool area...


Driving into Bannister's...


Ocean view from our room...


On the balcony...



Caesar Salad...


Chips and Aioli...


Some swimming in the edge pool...



It started raining in the late afternoon but it was still nice and warm...


Inside a corner of the Restaurant where we had dinner...


The wine...

I had informed the Restaurant a couple of days before that I was on a gluten-free diet...
The menus are quite large and they are printed every day on thick paper with a copy of the fish below on the other side...
I wasn't made to feel any different from the other guests which can often happen in various places...
the Restaurant had printed up a gluten free version...
I thought that this was the most thoughtful gesture...
Every attention to detail was attended to...

We were chatting with the Hostess at Front of House and told her why we there and when we sat down we were presented with complimentary champagne...





The most unusual butter...a fishy one but oh so delicious...
together with gluten free bread...they just did it!!!


 Braised Fillet of Cone Bay Barramundi with Truffle, Slivers of Potato, Mushrooms and Truffle Oil...


Chips and Melange of Vegetables...


During the evening...


Both desserts had Happy Birthday on them as the dinner was a celebratory birthday one for us both...signed by Rick's Head Chef.. Julian Lloyd





We were so full but still managed to fit in breakfast...eggs for Mr Armchair


and bruschetta for me (on gluten free toast)...and they remembered!!!




A light shade made of small bottles...



Entrance into the Restaurant...




Took a walk down to the beach and came upon a dedication...


Cocktails...mocktails...we certainly ate and drank!!!


And then it was dinner time again...
Fig, Prosciutto and Rocket Salad...


A salad of Lobster, Avocado, Green Beans and Foie-Gras...


Bannisters Fish Pie...Salmon, Snapper, Blue Eye Trevalla, Scallops, Mushrooms and Prawns in a creamy Fish Veloute Sauce with Truffle, gratinated with Breadcrumbs and Parmesan...


Indonesian Seafood Curry with Ling, Skate, Kingfish, Squid and King Prawns...Served with Green Bean and fresh Coconut Salad and Steamed Rice... .






And of course we had to have dessert!!!



Many Awards on the walls...



We even bought some fabulous books...Rick is coming back next month and I think I will take them up there to be signed by him!!!


A little collage I made...prior to the evening meal olives are served!!!
We love olives and regularly do this here at home too now!!!

Thank You, Thank You so much James and Danelle...we had a ball!!!!!

We have little Ryan coming here for a few days in the holidays...
tonight I will cook Pork Belly...

So here's to a wonderful weekend of family and celebrations!!!
I am so Blessed!!!

Bon Appetit...Dzintra xo

19 comments:

Chookyblue...... said...

OMG how special........what a gorgeous place.....and food.........very jealous.......

Astrid said...

WOW! A well deserved weekend at such a gorgeous place! No doubt you had a wonderful time, very thoughtful of your son. All that yummy food! Love that lampshade made of bottles, awesome idea.

Margaret said...

Now that tops the list for "Bucket Restaurants " OMG for food , but how was that pool ??????

Lynn said...

What a spectacular place, not sure which is more beautiful, the scenery or the food. So happy for you, a well deserved treat!

Anonymous said...

wow what a wonderful gift,such a beautiful place and oh my the food looks amazing,love that edge pool,so glad that you got to do this.xx

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

Looks all so perfect...so pleased you both enjoyed it....

Bev C said...

Hello Dzintra,

Just Perfect. congrats all round to you and your hubby and those generous children.
Enjoy the weekend Dzintra.

Bev.xoxo

Kath said...

I feel as If I have eaten all that food myself! I was very envious of all the wonderful fihs dishes. We ate at Ricks Steins place in Cornwall, a long waiting list for tables, as you can imagine.
So happy you had a lovely realxing time with your sweet heart.
The first photo looked like it came from a magazine, it must have been such a fabulous place.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Good morning my beautiful friend!!!

You certainly had a LOVELY TIME and look at all the beauty: the ocean, THE FOOD, your Mr. Armchair and the joy on your beautiful face. ENJOY IT ALL!!!!!!!! Anita

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Good afternoon (for me!) my sweet Dzintra! I caught you at dinner this MORNING when I came in! It is fascinating that we are soooooooo far apart and a day apart from each other! Next week I hope to have our SISTAHOOD BIRTHDAY BASH!!!! Enjoy this fine weekend, Anita

Susan said...

Oh my! I think I gained weight just looking at all of the lovely dishes! I'm glad you had a wonderful time. What you do everyday is a blessing and we all see the work involved and sacrifices you make in the name of love. NO ONE deserved this time away more than you and your mister! Congratulations of all of lifes milestones and Thank You for being an inspiration to us all!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Oh, I am working on our birthday bash post right now! Anita

Rachaeldaisy said...

What a wonderful post about the most special time you both had!! It all looked absolutely perfect!!!

Palomasea said...

Oh my, dear friend...I am so happy for you and your dear hubby!!!
What a gorgeous place to relax, and that restaurant...a million wows!
Thank you so much for sharing this with us, and the splendid photos of a beautiful you and your sweetheart...
I'm sure you came home rejuvenated :)
Sending much love,
- Irina

Julie@beingRUBY said...

HI Dzintra
What a fantastic place to stay!! and right on the water.. I might have book mark that one!!

Happy Happy Birthday for yesterday.. what a slacker.. I meant to get here yesterday so sorry...

I hope this year is filled with joy and happiness.. and lots of wonderful moments just like this time you have described in this post..

Love to you.. ciao xxx Julie

A Magical Whimsy said...

Wow! Dzintra
You and your hubby were sure 'wined and dined' at Rick Stein's. ALL of the food looked so scrumptious. So glad you were able to relax and have a wonderful time. The pool looked divine!
Thank you for sharing such a special event in your life!
Teresa in California

Palomasea said...

Dear, wonderful Dzintra! I am sorry I did not know that was your Birthday...so please allow me to wish you a HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
May the year bring strong health, many joyful moments, and inspired creativity! You are a blessing, sweet friend...
Much love,
- Irina :)

Susan McShannon-Monteith said...

Well it certainly appears you had a lovely time.
The food looks fantastic.
Getting any cooler down there yet?
Take care and a special hello to JoJo.
Susan x

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

My dearest Dzintra,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY DEAR.....I had meant to come to tell you that I was not going to do the annual SISTAHOOD birthday after all.....I have limited time during the week to compose my posts and I had NO IDEAS on what to do. I am the type of person that if I can't do it in a way that I think is to the optimum, I just don't do it! But the recent post I just did FLOWED naturally from me this week because I am feeling quite overwhelmed at the moment and plus, my internet service was out for TWO DAYS and that slowed my progress for getting good photos for our party.

But thank you for visiting and MAY YOUR BIRTHDAY BE WONDERFUL! Mine is Monday and will be uneventful....oh well!

BIG HUGS, Anita

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 ...