Happy New Year 2012

New Years give a once-in-year calendar occasion to rid yourself of the old and bring in the new. We normally do this by making New Year resolutions. A public declaration of this, or in Bridget Jones's case, writing these down in a diary helps for it keeps the person committed. I generally do keep my resolutions.

Like Bridget, I make my resolutions on New Year's eve. Bridget Jones decided to lose weight (always on my list), smoke and drink less (no need for this), and be less needy (well, she was single). My resolutions involve a tougher fitness program, something that I feel I need to do to become a better person, and several things that I really want to do for myself before I miss the chance to do them altogether.

I challenged my boys to come out with their list.

Matt wanted to read more non-fiction books and to rid himself of some childish habits. Glenn wanted to be more polite (like Windsor - a friend he recently met) and sporty. For John, it was to stop burping in public, to not ever be angry at anyone, and to quit putting his feet on the chair at the dinner table.

Have a great new year and good luck with your resolutions!

The Best Beef Pie in Jakarta

Its sad that about the only dish that has attained global recognition from England is the ubiquitous greasy fish and chips, preferably wrapped in yesterday's newspaper. But having lived in England on three separate occasions - the first as a young child - I must confess that like that Anton Ego from Ratatouille, I get flashes of childhood memories when I have English food of a particular sort. Corned beef sandwiches, mashed potatoes with thick gravy, green peas and onions, and baked beans on toast brings me back to a simpler time. Add to that a weakness for lemon meringue pie and apple crumble, deserts I best remembered when I was a six year old in Lorraine County First School where we had to say grace before meals.

But in my undergraduate years, I developed a weakness for English pies and pasties. The perfect pie or pastie is one where the pastry is soft and not flaky, where the contents are still runny as it allows the gravy to warm the palate and where the meat is so tender it almost melts in the mouth. When I see pie on the menu, it is always ordered to check whether it has the "Ratatouille effect" on me.

On New Year's Day for lunch, I confirmed that a place in Jakarta serves just about the perfect Beef and Mushroom Pie. It comes with a perfectly boiled egg on the top of the pie, where the yolk is runny - something that requires attention to detail. The dish includes mashed potatoes with gravy. If you are not watching your waistline, order some side potatoes and baked beans.

Social House in Grand Indonesia clinches the title of the best Beef and Mushroom pie in the country. TRY IT!