Ortiga

Ortiga is one restaurant that has been on my 'to do' list for a long time. I have heard non-stop rave reviews about it since it opened in 2010 but had never allowed myself to step inside for fear of temptation (let's just say I live on a 'beer budget' and expensive spanish restaurants don't often factor into it).

So it was with great excitement and surprise that on Friday night, my boyfriend spoiled me with an amazing Birthday surprise dinner, downstairs at Ortiga, accompanied by Ina and her man MOC.

The evening began with some champagne and cocktails at neighbouring Lady Lamington (they have jugs of Pimms people - jump on it!) before my companions tried to convince me that I got all dressed up in my fancy girl outfit to grab some cheap dumplings and beer here.

ALARM BELLS! I was not buying it. Dumplings, whilst tasty, are not really my thing and honestly after the boyfriend encouraged me to wear a pair of my ridiculously-amazing-but-painfully-uncomfortable-special-occasion shoes, I knew we were going somewhere a little more upmarket (no offence to the hardcore dumpling lovers).

Anyway, we ended up downstairs in a cosy little corner of Ortiga where we were greeted by our waitress who recommended we order either 8 small dishes between the 4 of us or 5-6 small dishes and one large dish. We went with the latter and ended up with way too much food so if you haven't been and are thinking of going perhaps just keep that in mind.

This is what we ate:

Small dishes

• Queso fresco de cabra con puerros – House made fresh goats cheese with leeks and PX. 
• Selection of Jamones: Jamón ibérico de Bellota, Paletilla ibérica de Bellota and Serrano reserva (20gm). 
• Conejo en escabeche - Escabeche of Macleay Valley farmed rabbit. 
• Croquetas (Jamón). 
• Kingfish, apple, fennel and vinegar. 
• Gambas with samphire, guernicas and hen’s egg. 

Photo courtesy of Ortiga

Ina's gluten free option while the rest of us chowed down on croquetas

Large dish

1. Whole slow cooked lamb shoulder with patatas a lo pobre and lemon puree 

Looks ugly, tastes superb.

Accompaniments to the lamb

Standout dishes for me were the croquetas, the Selection of Jamones, the Gambas (prawns) and of course the super succulent, melt in your mouth lamb. I will say that whilst not everything we ordered was memorable or perhaps lived up to expectations, all the dishes were beautifully presented and of amazing quality.

The restaurant layout is beautiful and relaxed with lots of exposed beams and an uninterrupted view into the kitchen (where the chefs all looked quite relaxed to be honest). It really is a beautiful space that allows for intimate dining and maximum enjoyment. Overall, the food at Ortiga was amazing, the service was attentive but not intrusive and the general experience was lovely.

Photo courtesy of The Courier Mail

It was a really special Birthday surprise and I hope that we will return...fingers crossed we win the lotto soon!

On a side note, if you are trying rabbit for the first time as I was, perhaps try the meat before biting into the liver...it was a little difficult for me to get past that...um..texture...and...ahh...flavour.

The Birthday rules

                                              

Today is my birthday.

I’m turning the ripe old age of 29 and I plan on having a blast doing it despite almost everyone reminding me how close I am to 30 and how it’s all downhill from there…

So how am I celebrating this year? I’m going for the birthday month which includes a family dinner tonight, some kind of social birthday surprise my boyfriend has organised for tomorrow and what’s going to be an epic party with two of my fellow Februarian’s (one of whom blogs here) in a couple of weeks’ time at Brisbane’s best Tiki-Bar.

Of course, when it is your most favourite day/month of year, one wants to look good and feel great and this is where I like to employ a few ‘rules’ (and I use the term rules loosely) to make it happen.

Let me prefix this saying you can follow these rules any day too if you want to feel special – it doesn't just have to be your birthday.

1.  Look your best. For me this means shiny, bouncy hair, a light tan, great nails (this year I went with OPI’s Polka.com) and spending a little extra time on my makeup even though I am just going to work for the day.

2.  Wear lipstick. I wholeheartedly agree with the fabulous Nikki over at Styling You – lipstick has transformative powers for every woman on earth (and some men too) and this is by no means an overstatement. If you pop on a cheerful coral, a hot pink lip or a bright red, I can guarantee that you instantly look fresher and more polished and your whole face will smile right back at you like you’re an undiscovered Victoria’s Secret model.

3.  The outfit. I’m lucky enough to work in an office that has no real dress code, in other words, I wear pencil skirts while others have been known to rock up wearing shorts. Thankfully this lack of rules means I am able to wear almost anything I want to work on my birthday. So today I have chosen my Birthday dress from last year. A beautiful tea dress that I sewed with my mum from a free Gorman pattern. It’s floral and summery and quite clearly not that appropriate for Brisbane’s weather today but I do not care because it makes me feel FAB! You can check it out on my old blog over here if you wish.

I highly advise you ignore the rules on your birthday and wear something from your wardrobe that gives you that extra special feeling. Whether that’s a sequin cape, a pair of skyscraper heels or even your favourite jeans, just embrace it. Your birthday is the one day of the year that no one can say anything

4.  Cake. Just eat some already. I don’t care if you’ve gone ‘no sugar’ or if you’re a hardcore vegan  if someone goes to the trouble of getting or making you a cake. You bloody well eat it and enjoy it. Calories don’t count on your birthday! While you’re at it, throw back a glass of champagne. You’ve got something to celebrate!

5. Last but not least, spend some quality time with the people you love and let them know just how thankful you are for their birthday texts, the lop-sided red velvet cake they spent 2 hours icing and/or their super thoughtful and amazing gifts. Everyone loves a party and seeing their loved ones enjoying themselves. It’s the gift that gives back…as cheesy as it sounds.

So that’s it, 5 rules to follow that will make your birthday just the little bit more fun.

Now, I’m off to find that champagne xx

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