Drinks, dinner, and some aussie-isms!

Celebrated Saturday night in style! My client and her husband took us folks out for drinks and dinner...



Drinks were at this bar called 'The Blu Horizon' located at the 36th level of the Shangri-la hotel. Magnificent views of the entire city lights, especially the Opera house and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. (Disclaimer: the picture given in the link doesn't justify the view by ANY means!)

After a round of drinks spent in comparing who was more straight talking and could therefore ask more embarrassing questions -- The Aussies or the Indians! -- we went for dinner to this suburb just off the Harbour Bridge called Balmain. So, in the process, also got to ride over the Harbour Bridge! The restaurant -- Balmain Bug.

The ambience was excellent, the food... well, it LOOKED rather good. Yours truly, the lone vegetarian, had to choose between 'Fried Semolina Dumplings, With a Lentil & Bean Cassoulet and a roquette' and 'Sweet Potato, Mixed Mushrooms & Baby Spinach'. (no, i don't remember the names... just happen to have a copy of the menu with me!)

Opted for the former, and it basically turned out to be this Suji ka tikki with baked beans on top!

BUT, the best part of the evening... some euphemisms that our client told us about!

Aussie Speak: "Pineapple"
What it means?: "50 dollar note"!
Why?: Because a 50 Aussie dollar note is the colour of a pineapple!

Aussie Speak: "Pavarotti"
What it means?: "Ten dollar note"!
Why?: Because ten dollars is called tenner.. heard as 'tenor', and therefore, the man himself!

Aussie Speak: "Woke up at the sparrows"
What it means?: "Woke up really early"!
Why?: Because the poor bird is associated with early bird here!

And this one, I could make no sense of!:

Aussie Speak: "You are my China"
What it means?: "You are my mate"
Why?: Something to do with mate rhymes with plate, and plates are made of bone china... therefore, China!

Phew!!!