'Girthday’ fun

21st March comes around and we Spring into action for three feasting days of 'Girthday' celebration for Robert's 70th birthday.

On Sunday the 19th, pride of place goes to Hilary and Juliet's gifts of a bottle each of splendid Aussie wine from the Shiraz/Cabernet wine heaven of South Australia. 

Gen cooks a delectable meal of smoked trout frittata with bacon-wrapped asparagus. The dip is thick cream with lemon rind and finely chopped spring onions. The taste is sublime.

On the 21st, we beat the massive downpours in the late afternoon by taking a taxi to French ecstasies at C'est Bon, a restaurant topped with a mini Tour Eiffel in central Cairns.

Two Kir Royals lead the charge into warm, soft, crusty baguette, followed by starters of delicately sauced scallops and Brie and leek mini tartelettes complete with glazed walnuts.

A wonderful bottle of Barossa Shiraz paves the way for the next course of tender, goat casserole in rich sauce, with garlic confit and toasted brioche. Gen loves the lack of token veggies, just marvellous meat as the star attraction.

Gen sits out dessert, but I plump for the house specialty, souffle du jour with its berry coulis, touch of cream and crumble. Heavenly!

By now we are tipsy, giggling like teenagers as we attempt selfies and chortle at our purple lined lips.

Round 3 is al fresco at the campsite in Palm Cove. Our ambient music is the joyful chirruping of dozens of lorikeets in the trees above.

Pride of place goes to the bottle of Pepperjack, 'specially crafted to drink with red meat premium cuts'.

So of course obeying the wine, Gen cooked a tender Porterhouse steak with pepper steak gravy, served with gratin dauphinois, i.e. finely sliced potatoes with a bechamel sauce including cheese, onions and mushroom, topped with coriander. Absolutely delicious combination.

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Robert's 70th Birthday, Palm Cove, Cairns, FNQ, C'est Bon, French Restaurant, Eiffel Tower. Wine