Kimberleymlewis’s Blog

I’m a critic get me outta here…

Posted by: kimberleymlewis on: November 29, 2010

Last night I went to dinner with one of my oldest and dearest friends. When we met (many moons ago) he had a …. well lets say an ‘attachment’ to his ‘lazyboy’ arm-chair and endless episodes of ‘Jackass’….. but alas 10 years on he is a very succesful business man, script writer and what I recently discovered a rather fabulous restaurant critic. The latter being the reason for our dinner date and of course the much-needed wine and gossip!

Over dinner I asked M what made a good critic and what rules he had to adhere to whilst writing his critique. His reply was “No rules I just try to be funny”. It got me thinking it can’t be THAT hard to be a critic right? I can hear M’s sharp intake of breath as I type….. well maybe it isn’t that easy but all you need to do is say what you think, be honest and know what you’re talking about. So I’ve decided to give it ago I’m going to write a review of the meal we had and see how easy (or hard) it really is! Let me know hat you think!

‘Harbourmaster’ Aberaeron.

Nestled along a narrow harbour street in the small fishing village of Aberaeron is a cobalt-blue gem aptly named ‘ The Harbourmaster’. Whilst if you are not from the area an I can appreciate the effort it would take to visit this establishment. I can happily say its worth a trek. I have heard many a good thing of this restaurant  so my expectations are high when we arrive to dine. Greeted warmly we were invited to have a drink in the bar before being shown to our table. I scan around and notice that for a week night in a small town the bar is surprising busy a good sign I feel! Myself and M take a seat and enjoy a much-needed catch up(its been a while) over a crisp, fruity glass of Sauvignon Blanc. While M has a pint…ever the man!

When being shown to our table I take in the attention to detail of the decor. White wash striped bare pine, original wooden floorboards and a continued nautical theme throughout. We are given the table for two right by the open fire-place. Forgive me M for shooting straight to the seat furthest from the beautifully glowing fire. I hate to be to hot whilst I eat. I could see he wasn’t to impressed. I did offer to mop his brow!

I start with pan-fried scallops with caper and raisin purée, and caramelised cauliflower. Beautifully presented it’s a wonderfully balanced starter. The three perfectly cooked scallops swim like islands in the punchy puree and although M’s crab spring rolls look divine I am more than happy with my choice. My taste buds are left feeling as though someone has just had a ‘free party’ in my mouth.

For the next course I opt for a fillet of wild sea bass with gingered beetroot, Cardigan Bay crab ravioli and a citrus salad. This dish just looks exciting. The bold colours of the beetroot and salad allow my mind to drift off to thoughts of warmer climates. The sea bass couldn’t be any fresher without swimming on my plate and its cooked to culinary perfection, skin crispy and fish moist. My only real criticism of this dish and this is being picky is that the balance wasnt quite on the money. The beetroot and ginger puree was incredible sweet now don’t let me miss lead you it was absolutely mouth wateringly good and the combination of the roots worked as a great team. I would say that there was a little too much puree and not enough citrus. I really needed the citrus punch, unfortunately it was lost in the sweetness of the puree. For me citrus and fish go hand in hand like a culinary Will and Kate ( topical,  no?) but unlike the royal couple they were not allowed to marry in this dish. However with this in mind I lapped up every morsel and if I’m honest I’m being finicky!

When asked if we would like to see the desert menu I looked at M wondering if his thoughts match mine. Thank god they do.”Be rude not to!” we say in unison. Our waitress tells us there is no creme brulee. I can’t deny the fact I am a little disappointed, it’s usually my desert of choice, but upon looking at the menu I am comforted by the many more delicious loveliness on offer. I (after much deliberation) settle on the chocolate fondant. I’m glad they were out of creme brulee! A naughty little desert that finishes of my meal on a high note.

As I said I had heard only good of ‘The Harbourmaster’ prior to my visit and I can honestly say I could say nothing to change that opinion. The perfect location, inviting atmosphere and the attention to detail decor along with the high standard of food make ‘The Harbourmaster’ a unique dining experience for this area.

As M and I have our post meal cigarette on the harbour wall. We reflect on the meal.We both agree that it’s up there with the best we’ve had, and as I look at the boats bobbing peacefully on the water its one of those rare moment when I think “it doesn’t get much better than this”

 

See EASY :P

yeah you dub those fx!

Posted by: kimberleymlewis on: November 9, 2010

Forever changing my mind is rearranging
My words are contemplating
And my thoughts are always skating
Around and around I cannot here a sound
The words are blocked out
And my feet aint left the ground
So I stop, I think, I really need a drink
And just before I blink I realise I’m jinxed
I lose my inhibition I need another mission
You will never catch me bitching
As I rock out in the kitchen
I await my date I need to hesitate
Do think I got it easy cos its handed on a plate
Too late, my fate this world aint full of hate
And that is all I have to say as I deliberate

Forever moving my bodies always grooving
The sounds are always soothing
And my heart is always using
The love that I feel when I bounce in time
I’m free like a bird in the sunshine
I crouch down to the sound if I like the bass
I put my hands in the air and I scrunch up my face
I dance till my legs get weaker
To the rhythm that I here from the speaker
I’m a school teacher
When I jump on the mic
I’m nursery rhyming while riding my bike
If we do show and tell you can show me what you like
We can play all day in that rainbow light
So if you want to be my friend and bounce around with me
You got to spread that love with positivity
You got to bend the bend the boundaries of reality
And finally together we can be free

Tags: ,

Feeling positive and the BBC

Posted by: kimberleymlewis on: November 8, 2010

Right now I feel good ….. i’m happy where things are heading!There I said it!Its been so long since I felt like this that I felt I had to record it in someway :) I’ve had a rough year but i finally feel things are on the up and it is gooooood :)

I hope you are all feeling good on the cold (bbbrrrr) Monday morning?

As a side note the BBC are planning further strikes over christmas….what so all we’ll have is repeats? Just your average christmas tv then!

Mc Donalds and Ndubz

Posted by: kimberleymlewis on: November 6, 2010

I love people. I love to watch them and find out what makes them tick. What I love most though is knowing the little things the things people keep quiet and dont tell many others. Their guilty pleasure if you like. Mine is Mcdonalds and The Only Way Is Essex I just cant get enough!! My ex who is a drum and bass Mc and prides himself on being ‘hip’ loves NDUBZ and Glee…..whats yours?

Calendars and inspiration…

Posted by: kimberleymlewis on: December 13, 2009

For christmas last year my mum bought me a calendar that had inspirational messages on each month…..some of them tbh are a bit questionable BUT there is on that has stuck with me so, I thought I’d share it with you….

“You are bright, talented, and creative. You have a sprit of adventure and intense desire to make the world better. You are sensitive to the needs of others and passionate about helping people. You are driven to reach dreams that will make your future so much brighter. You have an inner spark that kindles a light in everyone your life touches.

You are a precious gift to the present and the future, and you must never forget this. Keep on flying with your highest dreams, and believe they will carry you where you want to go. Say “yes” to challenges, and dare to make those big, bold, dreams come true.

Tend the fires of your passions, and use this energy to do good in life. Stand up for what you is right. Protest the negative things in this world that damage the gifts of the heart. When you see a wrong, be strong in speaking out. Be committed in your friendships with those who need a friend the most. Be a volunteer and a positive leader.

Keep your good character, high ideals, and deepest passions alive and active. Fly on the wings of your talents and you mightiest dreams. Strive to change the world on day at a time. And make your greatest dreams come true.”

- Jacqueline Schiff

xx

A happy marriage is a long conversation which always seems too short…..

Posted by: kimberleymlewis on: December 12, 2009

Somethings recently have made me think about marriage. Its one of those things in my life that I can never truly see happening.I’m 25 (not that old but…..) I have 2 children, have had long-term relationships, but no proposals :( …. not even close! I always pretend that it doesn’t really matter to me. Give the ‘its only a piece of paper’ speech, but deep down I know that isn’t true, I KNOW i want to get married…..The issue is though (you see I’m not easily pleased) is that I don’t want to force someone into it. I want them to want me as much as I want them. To want to grow old with me and to watch our children grow up together, to want to never let me go.

I’m a big fan of romance wooing, dates etc. It seems in the U.K we’ve forgotten old-fashioned romance. Working in school I’ve really noticed the difference.Its so sexual. I know it was a little like that when I was there but now its just silly!They’re all at it….anyway diverting a bit there. Point is it’s all about the sex. Seems everyone’s a lot more passionate (good) but less loving (bad) these days.

I wonder if I will get married? I don’t know.I do know thought hat it’s not about the wedding for me.I dont want a  big affair.Just friends, family and good food, oh and lots of wine :) I think the idea of marriage for me is finally finding that one person you can truly say “you are all I’ll ever need to” to be so content with someone nothing else matters……..aaaaahhhhhh well I can dream……..one day maybe…….

Pregnant women and OCD

Posted by: kimberleymlewis on: December 2, 2008

                                                  belly-3                                                       

 

I have spent the entire day at home drinking tea and talking about pregnancy. About six months ago even the thought of doing this terrified me. I was in denial of my pregnancy and avoided the subject as best I could. Today however this would have been impossible. My friend G is 4 days over due and as she is so small (in height)she looks as though she may topple over!My other friend N is expecting twins and although not due until mid March is already as big as G. My belly felt very inadequate in comparison!! The pictures we took of our meeting were brilliant though and it also set a lot of my anxieties about birth being a mum again to rest.Phew!

belly1                                        belly-2

 

Another thing I have been thinking about reasantly is people’s habits or ‘OCD’s’.For example

  • I have to fill and empty my glass 6 times for a perfect glass of tap water
  • I have to switch my bathroom light on then off then on again each time I enter the room
  • Even though I’m generally pretty unorganized and messy in my normal day to day life.When I go grocery shopping and I reach the check out I turn into some sort of Psychotic maniac and I HAVE to put my shopping onto the conveyor belt in a particular way.Fruit & Veg together,all BOGOF’s together etc

I could go on. Am I really odd or is this a common occurrence in our overly obsessive,paranoid world?? What do you obsess over?

Tags: ,

Here come the girls…..

Posted by: kimberleymlewis on: November 30, 2008

38_e_newbornbabygirl

So I finally found out the sex of my baby……dun dun daaaaaaaaaaa …………it’s a girl.A house full of women.God help the teenage years I say.Anyway all is well with the baby and I have decided on a home birth.eeeeek!

Sorry for the lack of ‘blogage’ but i’m sooo busy at the moment.I am trying my best to keep to the list even though I am a little behind, I’m powering through regardless!Here’s the next ten:

 

21. Hang upside down for five minutes.

22. Hang found objects from tree branches.

23. Make a puppet.

24. Create an outdoor room from things you find in nature.

25. Read a book in one day.

26. Illustrate your grocery list.

27. Read a story out loud to a friend.

28. Write a letter to someone you admire.

29. Study the face of someone you do not like.

30. Make a meal based on a color theme. (i.e. all white).

Tags: ,

Drawing in November

Posted by: kimberleymlewis on: November 18, 2008

scan00101

I love this time of year…….the smell of winter, when you begin to see your hot breath in the air and the time when I can begin to wear my extensive hat collection again (I think I may have some sort of hat fetish), without getting an itchy head. I had a lovely surprise in the post today my first copy of The Beany from Micheal Nobbs. Its brill, well worth the £6 (even though I got mine free!! ). Its really brought back my love for drawing something that I have totally lost sight of in the last couple of years. I’d forgotten how you can get lost in the drawing……..forget everything that’s going on around you and immerse your self in that object. Drawing is the reason after all why I started studying art. As a child my mum would give me some pens and a roll of paper and I would spend hours on end drawing whatever was in front of me, something that I see being repeated with my own daughter.A quote that Michael brought to my attention 

“when you draw you will not feel lonely”

From Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte

This couldn’t be more true. At a time of my life which is particularly lonely I shall make drawing my companion :)

 

 

scan0007

 

 

I am also continuing with the list (Its so much fun!!)  my next 10 are ;

 

11. Make a list of everything you buy in the next week.

12. Make a map of everywhere you went in one day.

13. Draw a map of the creases on your hand, (knuckles, palm)

14. Trace your footsteps with chalk.

15. Record an overheard conversation.

16. Trace the path of the moon in relation to where you live.

17. Go to a paint store. Collect ‘chips’ of all your favorite colors.

18. Draw your favorite tree.

19. Take 15 minutes to eat an orange.

20. Write a haiku.

Half Asleep

Posted by: kimberleymlewis on: November 14, 2008

scan00061

Tags:
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.