Veraison Restaurant *Great Deal*

Veraison Restaurant in Toowoomba is currently offering a Five Course Degustation for only $55 per head including wine from Tuesday to Thursday nights.

Apart from offering this great deal, this is actually a really great restaurant, although there's not much of a demand in Toowoomba for fine dining.

I took my partner, a chef, with me to do this review and I have to say overall we were quite impressed. Restaurant Manager Andrew Smith has created a really beautiful restaurant with a great deal of emphasis on good wine accompanying great food. We were greeted at the door by Andrew and a complimentary glass of sparkling before being taken through to our table. Veraison has a very warm and cozy atmosphere which suits the cold winters of Toowoomba and makes you feel as if your stepping into a sanctuary after the cold of outside.

As we worked our way through the five courses we both agreed that the food did not live up to the accompanying wines. Simple mistakes such as undercooked lentils and overcooked prawns overshadowed what was otherwise a well thought out menu. The saving grace of the evening was the dessert, a vanilla and cinnamon panna cotta with balsamic strawberries. Only pure strength of will stopped me from licking out my bowl when i was finished.

Overall, we both enjoyed the experience and I'm looking forward to going back there later in the year to review the summer menu.

Bar 1907

Located in the heart of Perth, bar 1907 encompasses all thing sexy and refined and is everything you should expect in a high end cocktail bar.

Located in a basement, down an alley and with no signage, the worst thing you'll experience from this bar is trying to find it. Once inside though, you'll find it was all worth it.

Walking into 1907 your instantly hit with the warm beat of chill out club tunes and a rich, relaxed atmosphere. From the low mood lighting and intimate seating to the good looking, well dressed bar tenders, everything in 1907 screams 'Class'. The clientele are of all different age groups, but share a tasteful dress sense and mature attitude, fitting right in with the atmosphere of 1907 as they sip there cocktails and discuss the latest trends and gossip.

The cherry on the top is the incredible bar tenders and mixologists. These guys make cocktail making look like performance art. You'll be in awe as you watch them throw bottles around, light things on fire and finally pour out the perfect cocktail.

1907 is not just a bar, it is an experience not to be missed.

Lash Stiletto by Mabeline

This is a surprisingly good product. Like most women I cant stand lumpy, gluggy and smudgy mascara and , as a result, have stuck to the same kind for years but I'm really glad i decided to step out of my comfort zone and try Lash Stiletto.

It goes on easily, separating and defining each lash while giving you a little extra length. Lash Stiletto does not really offer too much in the way of volume and would best be avoided when wearing heavy make up or smoky eyes, however, this mascara is great if you like to wear a natural open eyed look.

The Jaz Parks Series

The Jaz Parks Series by Jennifer Rardin is a hilarious, far fetched and unforgettable roller coaster ride from begging to end.

The series is based around the adventures of CIA Assassin Jaz Parks who specialises in killing all things supernatural. Along will her boss Vayl, a 300 year old vampire, and her motley crew of misfits, Jaz takes us on a wild ride as she deals with everything from terrorist necromancers, her overbearing and infuriating father to her overwhelming and inappropriate feelings for her boss.

This is such a great series that will have you laughing out loud at all the hilarious antics. Jennifer Rardin has really struck gold with the great collection of characters she has created to help, hinder and often irritate our heroin and although the story lines can be extremely far fetched, the realism of the imperfect Parks makes you believe that this woman may really exist somewhere in the world.

Grab a bottle of wine, some chocolates, curl up with the first book in the series 'Once Bitten, Twice Shy' and prepare to fall in love. You wont be disappointed.