House restaurant - spicy edible courtyard

House has been wowing CBD workers with its $10 lunches and refreshing beers from the next door pub for a few years now.

 

The restaurant flows into a shaded courtyard on busy Elizabeth Street.

 

But rather than the usual ornamental plantings to cut down on noise and pollution, House has planted a spicy edible garden.

 

Instead of boring box hedges there are hedges of pungent bird's eye chillies that are used in the kitchen.

Beautiful and edible all in one.

 

Potted kaffir lime trees act as a split level barrier.

How healthy do they look?

 



 And I just adore this vast hedge of Vietnamese mint. What a great idea!

 

 

And there's plenty of basil for the kitchen as well...

 

 

 Thai basil and lemongrass

 

 

One of the best edible gardens I've seen. Built to be beautiful and practical.

Cafe Dov - Potts Point's best edible garden

Cafe Dov is fast becoming a Potts Point institution.

Now it's hyper-energetic owner Tim Petersen has expanded the eatery to include an edible courtyard.

The old car-port and storage area has been transformed into a groovy, relaxing outdoor space - the DOV garden.

Can't you picture your Sydney garden party here? The multi-talented Mr Petersen even turned his hand to some carpentry knocking together this rustic table.

There are trellised cherry tomatoes in recycled plastic tubs..

They're thriving in the protected courtyard...

... and occasionally find their way onto the menu..

There are tubs of soft-leafed rocket...

And an array of herbs to perk up dishes from the kitchen...

Thyme, taragon and mint...

...and more mint.

..filling the space with refreshing aromas...

... flowers including pansies to attract insects..

... and to add colour to the garden..

a potted bay tree

..all thriving amongst the hub-bub of Victoria Street.

A special space in a special part of the city. Book your table today.

Truck Farming?

Brooklynites Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis, are on the road to the future.
These environmental documentary-makers, have come up with an ingenious solution to that age-old question - " How do you grow your own food when you ain’t got no land?
Answer: Truck Farming!

Here's their YouTube teaser about how they got their agribusiness going...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdP3g2aUPSA&feature=player_embedded

Inspiring, eh?
The boys created their own version of a hybrid car by planting a mobile garden in the back of their Dodge pick-up. Growing arugula, lettuce, broccoli, herbs, tomatoes and habanero chilies, the “cardeners” have even started a CSA. As the soundtrack to this clip explains: “for only $20 bucks you can eat whatever grows in this truck''.
Transforming their Dodge was no walk in the parking lot. First, holes were drilled into the bed for drainage. Using the same technology as the latest rooftop gardens, NYC based Alive Structures helped to install a root barrier, erosion blanket and drainage mat into the flatbed. Then the soil, a special lightweight blend of Styrofoam, organics, and clay, was poured on top.
Us city-dwellers have to be creative, resourceful and experimental if we want to green our concrete jungle. Ideas like this one are going to put urban farming into overdrive, inspiring new ways of thinking about space. These two pioneers have found a vast new territory just by walking down to their parking spot, creating a concept that is sure to get some serious mileage.

If you want to read more about Wicked Delicate Films click onto their website

The High Line and Chelsea Markets, New York City

On Monday morning we left (part of) our heart in San Francisco and headed off to chilly New York.
The long flight was a chance to catch up with some blogging. A new inflight broadband service allowed me to join the blogging version of the Mile High Club!
We arrived at our Sohotel hotel in Soho late evening, grabbed some unbelievably good pasta nearby in Little Italy, slept soundly and set off on Tuesday morning to explore the High Line in the Meat Packing District. The High Line was an operational elevated railway line until the early 1980s. A shipment of  frozen turkeys was apparently the last cargo to be carried on its tracks! Instead of dismantling the railway line local conservation groups lobbied to have it preserved and transformed into open park space for hemmed-in New Yorkers. So glad they did.With the Chelsea Markets located at the High Line on West 15th this is a must-do for all garden-loving foodies.

locals and tourists enjoy some hard-to-find sunshine

The railway line was concreted and planted with grasses and shrubs. About two-thirds of the line has been completed.

the past provides structure for the present and the future

flowers amongst the concrete and steel

Parts of the High Line have been glassed in allowing visitors to experience the eery sensation of floating above the New York traffic

A section of the High Line at 10th Ave

Pop into the Chelsea Markets and do like the sign says and pack your picnic here

The markets occupy about half a block of old warehouses

Most of the original fittings, and pipes and brick facades have been retained

There was an exhibition showcasing recycled Christmas decorations

From afar it looks like an expensive high-tech wreath....

on closer inspection it is made up of dozens of old CDs

This seafood joint contained an array of crustaceans and fins I had never seen before

Everything was displayed so immaculately

dismembered claws...

the freshest lobster...

with a home-style butcher next door...

New Yorkers want to know everything about their meat

where it came from....

how old it was and was it happy when it died

New Yorkers are still in love with their cupcakes

loved these Sesame Street inspired ones

but this was my favourite

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