and a great meal that night.

I'm still not firing on all cylinders, evident at Lake Ginninderra on Tuesday (last), the BBQ Stakes on Wednesday (last) and the Aquathon on Thursday (not last thanks to Aki and her swim!!).

I decided to leave early so that I wasn't tempted to push myself too much around the course; easier said than done, even though I did find that I was pushing myself the whole way as I barely churned out 6 minute kilometres and wanted to get back to 'hold the clock' and look after the gear that was left behind.

A finish time of 30:18 is a spectacular drop-off from my form over recent weeks, but I couldn't have done faster over the flat, fast 5km course in excellent cool conditions. It took about 400 metres or so, but once again the chattering teeth returned without explanation.

The great conditions meant that many runners did excellent times though, with PB's for quite a few including Jodie who smashed a minute off her previous best. Way to go girl! Two runners smashed the 18 minute barrier as well.

After a quick drink, I took my board and headed off to see the secondary schools section of the Sri Chinmoy short 'Joyathon' triathlon at Yarralumla Bay. Another Customs stalwart, A unfortunately has to miss the event at the moment due to a timetabling clash, however her son was competing this afternoon and I had offered my wetsuit and bike box for him to try for his competition in the National Schools Championships in Port Arlington later this month.

I had to dash and get home and showered for a 'chat to the doctor' appointment, to which Bob accompanied me. There were a few theories about the shock-type reaction when running, all of which seemed pretty plausible, and the consensus was that I should give the running a miss for the time being and enjoy the trip to SE Asia.

Even though I felt like I needed to crawl into bed or just vege out for the evening, we had arranged to have dinner with friends at Anise in West Row. Although the menu for far meatier than what I would normally gravitate to, I had heard good reports and was keen to try it out.

Bob and I arrived a few minutes early for our 7:00pm booking and there were already two tables seated. We were greeted by a very professional young waiter, who was quite charming. Electing to sit on the upholstered bench side of the classic white linen table setting, a long table set up for around 20 guests caught our eye and we hoped that it wouldn't be too disruptive. We were right to be concerned! Soon a trickle of men started to stomp through the narrow space to the back - they looked and acted like tradesmen, although the time of day was a little odd. Gradually they returned and sat at the group setting, with a few women joining them as the final wave filtered in. The Billie Holiday which as crooning in the background became a distant memory, and it was difficult to maintain a conversation as Bob and I sought to pick the eyes out of the menu before our friends arrived. Our long established habit, when a menu looks good, is to each whittle down to a short list of two or three dishes, see where they intersect (maybe make some adjustments to avoid having the same style or ingredient) and then carefully eat half of each dish and seamlessly swap plates at 'half time'.

The menu was more than adequate to allow us to do just that, especially as in my non-athletic state I had no concerns of limiting fat, meat or the usual dramas.
Bob's initial choices were:
Entreé
French Onion Twice Cooked Souffle ($17)
Calves Liver ($17)
Zucchini Flowers with Meredith Chevré ($18)

Mains:
Lamb Rump ($29)
Confit of Duck ($30)
Oven baked on Mediterranean vegetables and tapenade ($30)

My choices were:
Entreé
Zucchini flowers with Chevré and pesto ($18)
Calves Liver ($17)
Wild Boar Terrine with Pickled Pears ($17)

Main:
Grilled Blue Eye Cod on Skodalia ($30)
Lamb Rump ($29)


I thought that the roasted mediterranean vegetables and tapenade was what he had on his breadrolls each day, and therefore the Cod would be a better fish option. Balancing the (only vegetarian - and not vegan) option on the menu (Fried Zucchini Flowers) and Blue Eye with the red meat of the Calves Liver and Lamp Rump was straightforward.

Our friends had both elected to have the Duck confit, and Lyn opted for the soufflé, while Brian tossed up between the Wild Boar terrine and scallops with Lime and Vietnamese Noodle salad. He opted for the terrine and a small dish of the world's tiniest olives were brought for us to nibble. Good sturdy Italian bread was brought around warm from the oven in slices for us to select, both butter and olive oil on the table. (Lyn buttered, Brian oiled, Bob and I go au natural as usual).

The big group in gearing up big time! Cocktail glasses were brought out with strange coloured interiors, along with plenty of beer. It must have been a set menu, for the whole table soon had bread and a dish delivered to each. It was in stark contrast to the rest of the restaurant.

Just as suddenly as they arrived, a few stood up and moved outside, for cigarettes we thought? However within very little time, only a couple of blokes were left, and then they too took their unfinished bottles with them outside. We were intrigued, it was very early, and while they were milling around outside, it was apparent that they had left, permanently for the evening.

Billie Holiday resumed her crooning amongst a convivial hum as now almost all the other tables in the restaurant were now occupied.

The restaurant had a formidable wine list, both comprehensive and diverse, with many local cool climate wines, as well as interesting domestic and overseas selections. When dining with Brian and Lyn though, it is an opportunity to dust off some of the better wines in the cellar. Confirming beforehand that BYO wine was permissible (it is a brave restaurant in the Canberra scene which doesn't permit this), we were advised of the $7 corkage charge.

Lyn doesn't drink red, so an unwooded Candobolas Chardonnay, almost thick and syrupy was chilled and opened for the entreé. On arrival, great respect was immediately afforded to the 1990 Penfold's Limestone Ridge, which was opened and decanted. Our female waiter was joined by a fellow with a wonderful sense of humour and the familiarity that is so welcome and appropriate in Australia. After many jokes about the cooking wine, the Limestone Ridge was sipped and slurped with a very peppery nose and still sharp bite.

The Zucchini Flowers (3 spokes on the plate) were delightful, despite my concern of the lack of seasonality. The Calves Liver was napped with a rich demi glace and was well flavoured and delicate at the same time.

Bob and I were impressed. The next course did not disappoint either; the skordalia presented as a light garlic mash rather than the lemony garlic dip that it usually represents, but was an excellent foil for the one large thick and two smaller fillets of Blue Eye Cod which rested upon it. The lamb was medium rare as requested, and was a fine example of just how good this cut can be.

The mood in the restaurant had picked up since the larger group left, and it the atmosphere, great service and food ensured that it was a good night. The desert menu listed a fairly predictable assortment of Vanilla Bean Cremé Bruleé, Frozen White Chocolate Mouse, and a tart of apple with honeycomb ice cream. The standout item was an orange soufflé with blood orange sorbet, however the 25 minute preparation time excluded this on this occasion. We were tired! Bob and I decided on the apple tartin and a raspberry and hazelnut torté with semi-freddo after a short confab. Coffee and petit fours were expensive at $5, however it was seriously great coffee, even the decaf long black I ordered which is usually a great disappointment.

Bob and Brian did check out the wine selection with a Jeir Creek sticky with desert which they both raved about. However, after a Boag's or two, and bulk of the Chardonnay and all of the Limestone Ridge, (I wasn't drinking, and Lyn had but a glass), it is hard to know how much of this joi de vivé would equate to a more sober occasion.

An excellent find (although it has been open since 2001), which required further investigation, especially if the menu choices lighten up a little. We didn't get home until 11:00pm and I slept for 12 hours.