Strange Magic Sunny There are days when the world seems to hold a mysterious and enchanting energy. These are the days when the sun shines with a peculiar brilliance and the air carries a hint of magic. It is on these strange magic sunny days that ordinary moments become extraordinary and the impossible feels within reach. When the bright rays of the sun bathe the earth, everything seems to come alive with a special kind of energy. The colors of nature appear more vibrant, as if they have been touched by a magical wand. Flowers bloom with an extra brilliance, their petals unfolding in a mesmerizing dance.
Food as disguise has been a theme of almost every culture of social differentiation, as a means of escape from excess
Forms of child s play that echo aristocratic exhibitionism at table have produced gingerbread men, sugar mice, and chocolates moulded into simulacra of everything from eggs to elephants. Nina and her mum are vegetarians and took one look at the menu and decided that they didn t want to split a pumpkin salad so we had to go somewhere else.
Flowers bloom with an extra brilliance, their petals unfolding in a mesmerizing dance. The leaves on the trees sway gently, whispering secrets to those who listen closely. The strange magic sunny days are not just visually captivating, but they also emit a tangible feeling of wonder and possibility.
Over The Rainbow At The Unicorn Paddington
The Unicorn is a pub in Paddington known for its food. It's not fancy gastropub food but all the classics that you'd find at an Aussie pub, just done well, courtesy of the people behind the team from Mary's, Young Henry's and Porteno.
This was actually my second attempt at eating at The Unicorn. The first time was a few weeks earlier with Nina, her mother, Garth and Mr NQN. Nina and her mum are vegetarians and took one look at the menu and decided that they didn't want to split a pumpkin salad so we had to go somewhere else.
I returned with former food writer Girl Next Door and current food writer Tristan. It's quieter this time as it's a Wednesday night. Tristan tells us that every time he comes here, which is often, something magical happens. He has met sporting and tv celebs and he also won a meat tray. For tonight, happy hour from 4-6pm suffices for the something magical. It's beer for Girl Next Door and Tristan and white wine for me.
A friend who is a regular has recommended a few things so we order those and the food comes to our table. I'll start with my favourite item, the steak. The menu has a "fancy steak" (200g Rangers Valley wagyu onglet $45) or a "daily steak" (220g Rangers valley spider or oyster steak $30) and we decided on the daily steak with garlic butter.
Cauliflower cheese and mashed potato
With both steaks you also get a choice of two sides and we order the mashed potato and cauliflower cheese. The steak is covered in delectable garlic butter sauce (there is a choice of sauces) and the steak itself comes pre-cut (I looove pre-cut steak!) and is tender and served pink inside so that it is juicy and melts in the mouth. The mash is smooth as silk and the cauliflower cheese is good but out of the two I prefer the mash.
Pork crackling with oyster emulsion $16
Pork cracklings are a pub staple but here the voluminous curled over pieces are dusted in paprika and served on a creamy oyster emulsion.
Chicken Schnitzel $28
Next is the schnitzel. As Tristan is a regular he tells us that the sauce is controversial. The chicken itself starts with a chicken supreme (breast with wing attached) brined for 12 hours and then crumbed in panko and deep fried. We are torn though over the gravy. It's almost burnt tasting and isn't just a once off, Tristan tells us it is always like that, "It tastes like the bottom of a pan," he says. He loves it but Girl Next Door and I are not as enamoured of the sauce. But the schnitzel itself is juicy on the inside and crunchy on the outside.
Aussie Works Burger & fries $24
Fans of Mary's burgers can get the burgers here but there is also a bonus burger only available here. It's the Aussie works burger with bacon, pineapple and beetroot added to it with either a single or double patty. I love the addition of the beetroot, pineapple and bacon, especially the crispy bacon rashers. And the fries are wonderful dipped into the garlic butter sauce (just saying). The sauces you can add are their house made hot sauce, regular bbq sauce and tomato sauce.
There are two desserts but Girl Next Door and Tristan are full although I was more than willing to make space for something sweet.
So tell me Dear Reader, do you like your steak pre cut or do you like to cut it yourself? Which sauce do you like with your steak? How often do you eat at pubs?
This meal was independently paid for.
It is as if the universe has conspired to create a day full of endless opportunities. People's spirits are lifted, and they find themselves inspired to dream bigger, to chase after their deepest desires with renewed vigor. On these days, it is not uncommon to witness inexplicable and delightful occurrences. Perhaps a butterfly flutters by, leaving a trail of sparkling dust in its wake. Or maybe a rainbow appears out of nowhere, casting its vibrant hues across the sky. In these moments, it is easy to believe in the existence of the extraordinary and the magical. The strange magic sunny days also have an uncanny ability to bring people together. Friends and strangers alike gather in parks and open spaces, drawn by the irresistible pull of the enchanting atmosphere. Laughter fills the air as children and adults engage in lighthearted games and activities. Conversations flow freely, and lifelong connections are formed, all under the backdrop of a sunlit sky. As the day draws to a close, the strange magic sunny days leave behind a lingering sense of awe and wonder. The world returns to its normal state, but the memories and the feeling of enchantment remain. These are the days that remind us of the beauty and mystery that surround us. They remind us to embrace the magic that exists in the everyday, to find joy in the simplest of moments, and to never lose sight of the extraordinary possibilities that lie within ourselves and in the world around us. So, the next time you find yourself experiencing one of these strange magic sunny days, take a moment to pause, to soak in the enchantment, and to let yourself be carried away by the wonder of it all. For it is in these moments that we truly come alive and experience the magic that is woven into the fabric of life..
Reviews for "Lost in Sunlight: Strange Magical Portals and Gateways"
1. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars: I was really disappointed with "Strange Magic Sunny." The storyline felt disjointed and confusing, and the characters lacked depth and development. The magic system was not well explained, leaving me feeling lost and disconnected from the story. The writing style also did not engage me, as it felt forced and unnatural. Overall, I found this book to be a letdown and struggled to finish it.
2. Michael - 1 out of 5 stars: "Strange Magic Sunny" was a complete mess. The plot was all over the place, and it was difficult to follow what was happening. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any real substance. The writing was choppy and filled with grammatical errors, making it even harder to stay engaged. I regret wasting my time on this book and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a well-crafted and captivating fantasy novel.
3. Emily - 2 out of 5 stars: I was hoping for a magical and enchanting read, but "Strange Magic Sunny" fell short of my expectations. The story lacked depth and originality, feeling like a generic fantasy novel. The pacing was uneven, with slow moments dragging on and action scenes feeling rushed. I also found the dialogue to be unrealistic and forced, making it difficult to connect with the characters. Overall, I found this book to be uninspiring and forgettable.
4. Robert - 2.5 out of 5 stars: While "Strange Magic Sunny" had some interesting aspects, it ultimately failed to deliver a truly captivating story. The world-building was lacking, leaving me with many unanswered questions about the magic system and the setting. The characters were somewhat intriguing, but they lacked the necessary development to make me truly care about their fates. The writing style was average, not being particularly engaging or memorable. Overall, this book had potential but fell short in execution.
5. Samantha - 1 out of 5 stars: I found "Strange Magic Sunny" to be an utter disappointment. The plot was predictable, and the twists felt forced and contrived. The characters were flat and lacked any real depth, making it difficult for me to connect with their struggles. Moreover, the writing style was bland and unengaging. I struggled to finish this book and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating and well-crafted fantasy novel.