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.

Berlin - Brandenburger Hof Hotel

There's no two ways about it. Berlin is a looooonnnggg way from home.

 But for Australians there's no better time to travel to the German capital than now.

With our strong exchange rate and cut-price airfares, the arctic chill can turn on a magical winter wonderland at this time of year.

And there's no better place to make your travel base than the Brandenburger Hof Hotel in Berlin's ritzy Charlottenburg just off the famous Kurfurstendamm shopping precinct and near Europe's largest department store the Kaufhaus des Westens. (KaDeWe)

The Brandenburger Hof is one of those destination hotels.

I could easily pull up sticks here for a few weeks...

Of course it helps that it's a five star hotel with a Michelin star restaurant Die Quadriga.

This is the view from our room of the twinkling bejewelled Christmas Tree in the atrium courtyard.

The one-bedroom suite is modern yet soft and inviting.

I wanted to ship this bed back home with me

after a long chilly day of sight-seeing, there'splenty of room to put up your feet.....

...very relaxing...

... or catch up with some blogging..

Nougat, marshmallows and iced gingerbread to keep the energy up

luxurious bathroom with heated floors, double vanity, deep bath and roomy shower

beautiful body treatments and a spa suite for a rejuvenating massage...

Through the lobby is one of the coolest lounge bars

cocktails and an excellent wine list..

And some interesting pieces of art collected and curated by the hotel's owner

love this mirrored piece..

There are several private dining rooms to book for dinner or a meeting. German Chancellor Angela Merkel can sometimes be spotted here.

Breakfast is the real piece de resistance. It's more like an elaborate ceremony.

several courses featuring the Nordic staples of yoghurt, eggs...

cheese, fruit, pickled fish and buttered chive bread.

The service is impeccable. And yes we did feel like royalty for the day.

To top off a perfect stay we were able to snaffle up some standing-only tickets to the Berlin gig of Bryan Ferry's current tour.

Third row from the front at the intimate Admiralpalast Theatre.

My Only Love.

You have got to come here.

Paris Accommodation - Special Apartments

Finding the perfect Paris holiday apartment is a problem most of us wished we had more often.
Luckily work takes me to Paris every year or so.

I want to share with you my secret Parisien pied a terre.

This apartment in the 2nd Arrondisement is wonderfully decorated and so comfortable - for one, a couple -  or with a pull-out sofa in the lounge a family of four can be easily accommodated.

Special Apartments choose all their apartments very carefully. They are all extremely well-presented, immaculately clean and filled with little homely treasures. And very reasonably priced especially with the current exchange rates.

I love the dramatic theatrics of this space.

The four room apartment is accessed by a lift making lugging your suitcases a little easier on the back.

Exceptionally comfortable bed and heavenly pillows..

And again stylishly selected fabrics, occasional chairs and accessories.

The fireplaces are purely aesthetic. There is a very effective ducted heater and airconditioner in the lounge.

The bathroom is small but functional.

The shower has a strong rose of hot water

The vanity has a cupboard underneath with plenty of room for your toiletries.

aaahhhhh.... the kitchen. The essential ingredient in any Parisien apartment just near the main fresh food markets on Rue Montorgueil.

Lovely roomy kitchen table

all the mod cons including a fabulous gas stove and electric oven

I actually threw a dinner party here for my Paris friends. Fresh organic barbecued chicken, a large tossed salad and apple tart for dessert.

Whether you're looking for digs for the night or for an extended holiday this Special Apartment ticks all my boxes.

Check out Saucy's post in 2010 about the Rue de Montorgueil food markets nearby and I can almost guarantee you'll be booking that holiday to Paris like a flash.

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Saucy Onion stayed as a guest of Special Apartments.

Edible Balcony - Weekend Harvest

Look what grandma is getting this weekend from The Edible Balcony ! Two kilos of cherry and beef tomatoes, a red capsicum, ruby and golden chard, sweet basil, Greek basil, rosemary, sage and curry leaves.

With the weather heating up in Sydney I'm going to try my luck by planting a second crop of tomatoes. They should ripen in mid March.The cherry and sweet bite varieties have been so successful, I think I'll plant them again. No white fly problems and they seemed to survive the wind and rain of December. So next week it's out with the old bushes and in with the new!

Edible Balcony - Hello Big Boy!

During our overseas travels a very generous neighbour on the 16th floor has been looking after my balcony garden. Despite the heavy rain, wind storms and cold snaps the garden is thriving.

This little beauty - a red capsicum - will find its way into a summer salad on the weekend.