Karaoke Lunch & CNY Celebrations in Sydney

We had a fun day last Saturday with friends as we had karaoke lunch at Mizuya (yup, third time in just three weeks!). We booked a private room for two hours but we enjoyed the food and singing too much that we extended for another hour. Time is never enough when you're having fun and catching up with good friends.

A few highlights:

The karaoke lunch was organized by one of our friends in honour of  those who celebrated their birthday in January and February. We especially cheered for two of our friends who celebrated their 35th and 40th this month.

We had the yummiest red velvet Darth Vader and Storm Trooper cupcakes during the event. 

We had to play and sing "Oppa Gangnam Style" twice for the kids.  I swear, there's something about that song that makes the kids get on their feet and dance. And they can get enough of it! Nakakaloka!  After playing it the second time, they even requested "Do it again" and the adults all went, "Nooooo". Haha. 

My BFF and I have this song that we always sing whenever we go karaoke. I consider this song one of "our" songs. Now that we're at a different phase of our lives, we shared our song to her daughter/my goddaughter. It was an "awwww moment" when I saw a photo of us three. How time flies.  Never did we imagine we'd be singing our song with a little one in tow. 

Karaoke lunches are super fun! Our group enjoyed Mizuya's affordable lunch meals and we're able to sing and be loud in the privacy of a room. I'm so glad we tried doing something like this.

After our party with friends, the Husband and I went to Chinatown to do a few souvenir shopping.

While we were at Chinatown, Tony Abbott (leader of Opposition) arrived to celebrate Chinese New Year. 

Our Saturday day-out ended late in the afternoon. A great day spent with good friends and the Hubby.

Last Week's Dining Adventures

As much as we like dining at home, there are weeks that we'd eat out more often than planned. Last week was one  of those weeks. Due to errands we had to do, the choice to eat out was the most practical thing to do. 

Attended mass last week in celebration of Ash Wednesday so the Husband and I met up in the city. Hunger pangs struck us so we head to the nearest Pepper Lunch for some Hamburger Steak (for the Husband) and Salmon Teriyaki (for me).

I had shopping errands on Thursday so I went to the shops after work. After I was through, the Husband suggested we meet up near his workplace and have dinner before go home. We took that chance to have some Korean cuisine that night. Husband had a colourful Chicken Bibimbap while I had a Tofu and Pork Stew at Kaizen BBQ. 

 I love the little bowls they use for their Banchan. 

The following day was one big errand day for us. We both took a day off and woke up very early (para din kaming pumasok sa office) and had our car check-up and service. Sans breakfast, we appreciated that our car's service centre had a comfortable lounge (complete with TV and wi-fi) and served pastries and good coffee. 

That day consisted of one errand after another. Our last stop on Friday was at IKEA. We had a heavy afternoon snack before we left home then went out. After walking around the second floor of IKEA in Homebush, we stopped by their food court to rest and have a light snack of Vegetarian Spring Roll, Mashed Potato and Chocolate Cupcake. We just shared these between the two of us as we're still a bit full from our meal at home.

In our books, this was indulgence. So this week, we're going to take it easy with after work errands and give ourselves a break from dining out.

Dinner at Mizuya (again!)

A week after having dinner with friends on my birthday week, the Husband and I went back to Mizuya the following week because I craved for their Spicy Karaage. It was that good!

I was early so I had time to take photos of the restaurant. They have a bar-type dining for patrons.

And a cubicle-type of dining area which gives patrons privacy while they eat.

Our dinner.

Takoyaki Balls (deep-friend octopus and potato dumplings).

The Spicy Karaage that satisfied. I could have this everyday.

The highlight of our dinner was getting a small plate of Crispy Chicken Skin. Soooo good! Thin crispy chicken skin served to us fresh from the deep fryer. This is a great partner to beer or rice (coz I'm Pinoy like that! Pwedeng ulam! Haha). This is definitely not healthy but a once-in-a-while indulgence won't be too bad. And be sure to share! 

That was one fun and delicious dinner. Since it's still Summer here in Sydney, we went out and it was still light. I shared this photo in my IG account but I'm sharing it again here because the sky was just too blue and beautiful that day. 

Mizuya Japanese Restaurant and Karaoke

Basement, 614 George Street

Sydney NSW 

Phone: 02 9266 0866

Food Find: Meltykiss by Meiji

Discovered a good alternative to Royce Nama Chocolate in the guise of Meiji Meltykiss. It comes in small bite sizes packaged individually and stored in a box. I found four flavours at the Thai Kee IGA X-press supermarket but I only bought two, milk chocolate and white chocolate. It has a creamy centre and cocoa dusting on the outside. I love the milk chocolate better as it tastes very chocolatey.