Idina Menzel, John Travolta, Adele Dazeem, Oscars: VIDEO

Oh hell yes. This just happened. #idinamenzel#johntravolta #adeledazeem #brilliant #oscars2015#Oscars #funny #viralvideo #josiesjuice

Okay, I will stop talking in hashtags now - it's alluding to last year's epic John Travolta mishap… getting Idina's name wrong. SO, so clever:

Oh hell yes. This just happened. #idinamenzel #johntravolta #adeledazeem #brilliant #oscars2015 #Oscars #funny #viralvideo #josiesjuice

A video posted by Josie Gagliano (@josiegags) on Feb 22, 2015 at 8:07pm PST

EVERYTHING.

Oscars 2015: Red Carpet PHOTOS

The 2015 Oscars are here, guys. And right here is a selection of the red carpet fashion.

Who is your fave so far?

(Photo credit: Getty Images).

High Tea at Abode Bistro and Bar: Review

Today was an exceptional experience shared with a special guest for Josie's Juice.

And here, my review of the experience.

I will admit: it has been a long while since I have been to a high tea. I rode the wave with everyone else when the high tea was a 'thing', and indulged in several rounds of it at the various incarnations of it around Sydney. It was wonderful, it was a new taste sensation, it was mini cake and teeny sandwich overload, and I loved it. Lapped it up with gusto like everyone else. It was decadent and delicious.

So, when I was presented with the opportunity to come try the all new high tea at Abode, I wanted to rekindle my little teeny morsel of heaven love affair… and introduce my mini me to the experience. My daughter.

Estella watching her tea being poured

And so, off we went to park at the Parkroyal Darling Harbour (at the end of Day Street) and we were warmly welcomed by utterly lovely staff, excited to be kicking off the all new big tea at the beautifully, recently refurbed Abode (it used to be called 'Connections' and looked vastly different).

Today, the decor of Abode is decidedly cool and looks all Hamptons-style, with gorgeous white shutters and luxe fringing and beautiful big arm chairs sitting opposite comfy booths.

The menu is divine.

Today, we trialled it all, with the added bonus of chef Peter Kuruvita giving us the rundown of all tea-inspired loveliness of the menu items (hence the presence of hugely successful tea brand Dilmah, the brew of choice here, served up in various incarnations throughout the high tea.

My daughter Estella declared she "wanted to start the day right from now on" and "have tea every morning, Mummy!". Solid foundations being being here!

Here is the wonderful Peter Kuruvita:

And here is the menu:

          Arrival

• -  Selection of Sri Lankan snacks
  
• -  Mini Peach iced tea bottles
  
• -  Moroccan mint tea and Hendrick’s julep cocktail
  
  High tea
  
• 
  -  Lively lime and orange tea infused duck rillette pots served with parmesan crostini
  - Rosemary with peppermint tea infused slow cooked lamb shoulder pie, mashed pea
  - Crab and avocado salad
  - Ceylon dust in baby gem lettuce cups finger roll of extravagant I’artisan triple brie, smoked ham, dijion mustard, olive dust
  
  Sandwiches
  
  
  - Earl Grey poached chicken, herb aioli - King prawn salad, lemon and dill aioli
  
  Dessert
  
  
  - Lemon, pistachio and almond macarons
  - Mini apple mille feullie, rose and French vanilla cream
  - Abode's opera cake
  - White chocolate and spiced chai fudge
  - Bitter chocolate mousse pots, sable and hazelnut crumb
  - Individual Eaton mess with blueberry and pomegranate jelly 
  

And so, here we are guys and girls (yes: boys… come too! It is not the girly, pink high tea of old): a new destination to have high tea in Sydney. It's a must-visit for any occasion, and you can head there on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.

Go to this site here for more: Abode Bistro and Bar.

The menu is designed by Peter Kuruvita and Ryan Hong which includes a selection of tea infused cocktails, a modern twist on traditional favourites and delectable desserts all served with fresh loose leaf tea.

Booking and pre-payment essential. Call them on 02 9260 2945 or email RSVP@ABODEBISTRO.COM. Price starts from $45 AUD.

Here we are, the delicious menu in pictures:

Estella and Jenny, our host for the day

 

Finishing off with the 'Eaton Mess'. divine:

A selfie is imperative!

Nonna Paola Meets Josie's Juice: VIDEO + PHOTOS

Today, I was fortunate to spend the afternoon with the biggest internet sensation right now, Nonna Paola.

We met at her niece Bettina's suburban deli in Sydney's Condell Park (called Condell Park Continental Delicatessen). We'd organised it with her son Greg, who'd been in communication with Josie's Juice, to meet up, and we were delighted we could meet face to face. It was a real highlight for me.

In typical Nonna Paola fashion, when we met she did not know who I was but accepted my hello and kiss anyway. She's a sweetheart. There will be more of our chat in a future blog post.

I met Greg and we all had some impromptu pics, taken by Bettina (now posted on the Nonna Paola Facebook page).

In true Italian hospitality style, Bettina served up a super delicious antipasto platter, with possibly the most delicious capsicum I've tasted, and a kick arse olive oil drizzled over nonna-style bread. And the sundried tomatoes… oh my. Okay, okay… enough about the food we ate. I can't help it, though! I spied in the deli window later that the deli sells cronuts! Chocolate ganache and salted caramel and more… I will be back very soon

So, while we shared thoughts and musings on life, I became even more enamoured with Nonna Paola (I won't lie - she reminds me of my late mother, who I only lost six months ago, plus all the many wonderful Calabrese women I've spoken to over the years).

This is the impromptu video I took of Nonna Paola, with her and Greg's permission, with Nonna Paola expressing her love for the antipasto platter Bettina (known as Tina to her friends) created for us:

And here's the selfie we took together, below.

I think it was her first one. But now that her star is rising, it won't be the last.

Did you catch Nonna Paola's segment on the Today show? Karl loves her - of course. Here is that segment. And here are more of her in one spot, yes including that tattoo one. Oh, and THAT now famous Siri video is right here in full. Viral madness now.

And more pics from our impromptu feast:

Nonna Paola and us - sharing a platter of antipasto and fresh Italian bread

Nonna Paola and her niece Bettina

Inside Bettina's deli with Greg, Nonna Paola, Josie, and Bettina

Meat District Co: Review

'Feed the man meat.'

You've heard the cliche. But I am here to say that this woman also enjoys hoeing into a big, juicy steak. Or a pulled pork burger.

As guests of Meat District Co, in Lime Street Sydney, on the beautiful King Street Wharf, this hungry family of four was well looked after. I can highly recommend Meat District Co for a businessman's lunch, for 'power meetings', for women-only Friday drinks catch up with your friends, and they're definitely family friendly, as I can attest. Even fussy 7 year old twins-friendly, with any burger customised any way you like!

We were seated just as the late afternoon sun was streaming in from the King Street precinct, in a glorious spot overlooking the Darling Harbour waterside area.

It was happy hour and so we did the right thing and ordered some drinks:

And so, the delicious food. What I truly like about Meat District Co is that you can go a little nuts with ordering items off the menu because the portions are just right that you don't have t stick to one main and then you are super full.

For starters, I recommend the cured meat platter, with a selection of premium cured meats, fruits, pickled vegetables,and a truly delicious Greek potato dip (skordalia). It comes on a wooden board with bread, lavosh and grissini.

Peruse the menu (a clever little meat cleaver) and see what you like. 

Burgers are medium sized and come with fries, but I say you also order the truffle Parmesan fries. Trust me on this - they are truly delicious and more-ish. 

Here we are, the truffle Parmesan fries - an absolute essential. Must try. And… I guess, if you have to share, share them:

Other highly recommended dishes:

The compressed, grilled watermelon salad, sumac, goat cheese and hazelnut:

The pulled pork burger:

And a close-up view. Stop salivating:

Oh, and the grilled artichoke with gribiche sauce - another absolute must-have at Meat District Co:

Mini gelato for the kids, post-meal! Such a cute sweetener at the end of a satisfying meal:

To see the whole menu, more delicious pics, or make a booking, go here.

Meat District Co is highly recommended by Josie's Juice. We will be back for more!

Ksenija Lukich: Engaged to Dan Bragg + Interview

Ksenija Lukich, the Australian woman chosen to represent the E! channel, has just announced her engagement to her longtime love, Dan Bragg.

Josie's Juice met Ksenija at the 'Fifty Shades of Grey' Sydney movie premiere last week and we had an impromptu interview with the very approachable, super friendly TV personality - you can read that interview below.

First, see the pics she posted on her Instagram page of her happy news, below:

Said the E! Online page:

A HUGE congratulations to our newly engaged Ksenija Lukich!

K's boyfriend of 7 years, Dan Bragg, popped the big question last weekend when the two were celebrating her 25th birthday!

Josie's Juice met Ksenija last week (just before her eneand here is what she said about her new, exciting role and mentoring from E! cohort, longtime host Giuliana Rancic:

Josie's Juice: How have you found the whole experience so far, being the face of Australia's E! channel?

Ksenija: "It has been really amazing, the whole thing. And getting flown to LA and experiencing the set [Ksenija was on the US set of the E! channel recently, and was shown around by the hosts] and talking with Giuliana [Rancic], and Terrence [Jenkins] and Jason [Kennedy], was lots of fun, and really enlightening, quite an experience. I learned a lot from it.

"I also met with Catt [Sadler] afterwards as well, and she was wonderful, very welcoming. They all have such beautiful things to say to me about my new role, and wonderful words of advice, so it was a really fantastic experience.

Josie's Juice: So, Giuliana has taken you under her wing?

Ksenija: Yes, she's just given me some bits of really beautiful advice and always goes out of her way to come and say hi and help me out. She's truly wonderful. I am having the best time.

Josie's Juice: What are you most looking forward to tonight, at this screening?

Ksenija: I am introducing the movie, then I will sit back like the rest of us and see what the fuss is about. I love events like this (at that point, Ksenija is whisked away to do her official MC duties in the cinemas at Fox Entertainment Quarter on opening night).

Here are some photos taken by Josie's Juice on launch night: