A Bloggy Blind Date…Priceless!

***This is a sponsored post***

Nervously, I applied some lip gloss and had one last defining check in the mirror.

“Right.  Let’s do this!”

A bit of self pep talk always helps.

Dodging the train engines and other strayed toys scattered on the lounge room floor, I eventually made my way to the couch were my grubby grommits were sitting, giving them each a kiss goodnight, telling them to be good while I was out.  Mr Surfer promised he will do his best.

Looking at my watch, I see that I’m running 15 minutes late.  Typical.

Getting to the Spit Bridge in Sydney’s north on time was going to be tricky in the late Friday afternoon traffic.  And despite mistakenly driving to THE SPIT, which was 10 minutes away, I still managed to get to Ormeggio on time.

In fact, I got there just minutes before my blind date.

Having only briefly clicked on her blog, all I knew was that she was a food blogger.

But when she walked through the door, I recognized her instantly.

Perhaps, it wasn’t love at first bloggy sight but it was her pink hair did win me over.

Trust me! If there was anything that you could have as an icebreaker during an awkward blind date – it’s hair colour!

Chocolate Suze and I quickly settled in, ready for Ormeggio’s 8 course degustation meal. Yes. That’s right. 8 delectable dishes to get our taste buds dancing.  Oh and dance, they did. In fact, they boogied the entire night.

With all the intricately prepared dishes served before us with detailed explanations from the chefs, there was also the accompanying wine (both from Italy and Australia) to complete the fine dining experience.

Unique combinations of octopus and Jerusalem artichoke with a pancetta glaze and paprika; Flinders Island Wallaby Battuta, sprinkled with watermelon rind, amaranth and chorizo powder; the mouth watering delights just kept coming and coming!

My favourite would’ve been this little baby.  All you see is a silverbeet leaf, right?

Wrong.  Underneath it was perfectly braised lamb with cauliflower and a hint of horseradish to give you a little surprise with every bite.

And who’s heard of a pre-dessert dessert?? Well, yes. They do exist! But I bet they’re rarely presented as delicately as this yoghurt with pomegranate and rye biscuit.

I was ready to die and go to Foodie Heaven!

I’m guessing most of us can recall from our single days of dating and dalliances, blind dating can be risky business.  Chocolate Suze and I were paired up, having never met each other.

The friendly staff seated us at a special table overlooking the breathtaking waterviews.  Not only was this an experience in itself, it certainly helped break the ice.

And in fact, as the course progressed, so did the conversation.

This is what I love about the world of blogging.  Meeting up with a bloggy peer for the first time, unquestionably there will be a common ground.  There seems to be a mutual trust and understanding of bloggers’ connectedness.  If you’re a blogger, you’ll get what I’m saying.

Ormeggio is just one of the “Locally Famous” MasterCard experiences through it’s Priceless Sydney program.  There’s a range of dining, sport, hotel, retail and entertainment offers to try in and around Sydney.  And as you can see, I scored a damn good one!

Watch this space for what Chocolate Suze and I are up to next! Without giving too much away, let’s just say, our next date will be in my neck of the waves, uh, I mean woods.