Having visited Justin North's Etch before, I knew I was in for a treat when visiting the new Becasse on it's opening night in Westfield Sydney. All I can say is WOW!
The choices from their Autumn menu were either a 3 course a la carte, 5 course degustation and 7 course degustation. Opting for the 3 course a la carte, was still spoilt and enjoyed every bite of the following:
Canape - puff pastry with cream
Bread basket - brioche, 7 seed buns and sesame twists
Duck custard amuse bouche
Spanner crab, iced ginger champagne, marinated trout roe, watermelon radish and flowers
Silken chicken and prawn mosaic, mushroom royale, chestnut mushrooms and crisp chicken skin
Granny smith sorbet, semillon gelatine and marshmallow pre-dessert
Lemongrass and lime caramel, passion fruit crunch with vanilla yoghurt sorbet
Lime buttercream macaron and white chocolate lime log
Takeaway goody bag with Becasse bakery croissants!
Photos to be posted up soon! Who wants to join me and book a seat at Justin North chef's table next time??
Thursday 28 April 2011
Tuesday 26 April 2011
Baked Goodness!
I did not manage to scoff down one Easter egg this long weekend but I did eat my fair share of baked treats:
Adriano Zumbo Masterclass - 30 Days of Home, Food and Wine, Hordern Pavillion Moore Park
Recently shooting to fame with the Masterchef series for his macarons and V8 Diesel cake, Adriano Zumbo has been creating quirky treats for years in Balmain, more recently in Manly and Rozelle and soon to be established venue in Star City (desserts, gasp, served sushi train style!).
Sharing some of his wisdom and insights into the hard work that goes into his desserts - producing 20,000 macarons per week for his cafes is no mean feat - Zumbo showcased his skills by making a Chocolate rasberry balsamic tart using Nestle Plaistowe chocolate. Whether Zumbo would actually use this in his every day operations at his cafes is questionable, but after tasting the 70% cocoa in the range, I did not question it's quality :)
Although the class did not get the chance to eat the finished product, we managed to sample of a mini version of what had been prepared earlier. Cannot wait until the new store in Star City to open so I can try the Japanese mayo macaron!
Adriano Zumbo
www.adrianozumbo.com
Sparkle Cupacakery Masterclass - 30 Days of Home, Food and Wine, Hordern Pavillion Moore Park
Situated off Crowne Street, Surry Hills and recently establishing a presence in the David Jones Sydney, Food Hall, I have been known to enjoy a Sparkle cupcakery's cupcake or two since they opened, with their buttercream icing, swish packaging and their mysterious cupcake classroom kitchen upstairs which one day I have promised myself to make the most delectable cupcake in!
Today, the founder of Sparkle Cupcakery, Kathryn Sutton, showed the class how to create beautiful Easter cupcakes, with emphasis on decorating them. Using techniques used instore, the class learnt how to create and apply the perfect buttercream icing as well as rolling and decorating with marzipan.
Although one of the kids in the front row was the lucky recipient of these Easter cupcakes, I did manage to score a sample of a mini cupcake - yum!
Sparkle Cupcakery
132 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills 2010 Australia
(02) 9361 0690
http://www.sparklecupcakery.com.au/
Monday - Thursday 7:30am - 6:00pm
Friday 7:30am - 6:00pm
Saturday 9:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 10:00am - 6:00pm
Becasse Bakery - Westfield Sydney
Thanks to my two up winnings on this Anzac Day, I was able to pay a visit to the new Becasse Bakery in the newly opened area of Westfield Sydney without feeling too guilty. Ordering the Chocolate brioche and a Petit Dessert Du Jour - carrot, chantilly, hazelnut and chocolate - I sat myself down in front of the window peering into the kitchen where many a baked treat has been made so far.
The Petit Dessert was like a deconstructed carrot cake - a fluffy mousse on top, layered with carrot cake rounds and chantilly cream throughout. Even though I am not usually a big fan of carrot cake, the subtle creamy flavours left me scraping the bottom for more.
The Chocolate brioche was not bad either - would have been fantastic if it had been served piping hot from the oven though! The chocolate chunks throughout the brioche and sugar crystals sprinkled on top were delicious!
Becasse Bakery
L5 Westfield Sydney Pitt Street Sydney 2000 NSW Australia
Hello Happy - Pitt Street, Sydney
Having visited their store in Chatswood several times to buy their beautifully packaged biscuits (their mega chocolate chip cookies are wonderful) - I was pleasantly surprised to discover they have also set up shop beneath Shinara Japanese/Korean BBQ restaurant, right beside Macchiato on Pitt Street.
Not quite sure sure what to order besides the chococlate chip cookie and peanut butter brioche to take home, I decided to be adventurous and try their rice dessert roll and yoghurt smoothie.
The rice dessert reminded me of a donut but was not sweet as I expected and the smoothie reminded me of yakult with soda water throughout. I think I ended up spending more time gazing at the other desserts at the counter I should have ordered instead.
Oh well...the cookie turned out great as usual and the peanut butter brioche surprisingly good and creamy. Hello, I'm Happy again!
Hello Happy Bakery
1/338-344 Pitt Street
Sydney NSW 2000
(02) 9262 9218
Oh wow - I did eat a lot this weekend...back to the gym for me!
Adriano Zumbo Masterclass - 30 Days of Home, Food and Wine, Hordern Pavillion Moore Park
Recently shooting to fame with the Masterchef series for his macarons and V8 Diesel cake, Adriano Zumbo has been creating quirky treats for years in Balmain, more recently in Manly and Rozelle and soon to be established venue in Star City (desserts, gasp, served sushi train style!).
Sharing some of his wisdom and insights into the hard work that goes into his desserts - producing 20,000 macarons per week for his cafes is no mean feat - Zumbo showcased his skills by making a Chocolate rasberry balsamic tart using Nestle Plaistowe chocolate. Whether Zumbo would actually use this in his every day operations at his cafes is questionable, but after tasting the 70% cocoa in the range, I did not question it's quality :)
Although the class did not get the chance to eat the finished product, we managed to sample of a mini version of what had been prepared earlier. Cannot wait until the new store in Star City to open so I can try the Japanese mayo macaron!
Adriano Zumbo
www.adrianozumbo.com
Sparkle Cupacakery Masterclass - 30 Days of Home, Food and Wine, Hordern Pavillion Moore Park
Situated off Crowne Street, Surry Hills and recently establishing a presence in the David Jones Sydney, Food Hall, I have been known to enjoy a Sparkle cupcakery's cupcake or two since they opened, with their buttercream icing, swish packaging and their mysterious cupcake classroom kitchen upstairs which one day I have promised myself to make the most delectable cupcake in!
Today, the founder of Sparkle Cupcakery, Kathryn Sutton, showed the class how to create beautiful Easter cupcakes, with emphasis on decorating them. Using techniques used instore, the class learnt how to create and apply the perfect buttercream icing as well as rolling and decorating with marzipan.
Although one of the kids in the front row was the lucky recipient of these Easter cupcakes, I did manage to score a sample of a mini cupcake - yum!
132 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills 2010 Australia
(02) 9361 0690
http://www.sparklecupcakery.com.au/
Monday - Thursday 7:30am - 6:00pm
Friday 7:30am - 6:00pm
Saturday 9:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 10:00am - 6:00pm
Becasse Bakery - Westfield Sydney
Thanks to my two up winnings on this Anzac Day, I was able to pay a visit to the new Becasse Bakery in the newly opened area of Westfield Sydney without feeling too guilty. Ordering the Chocolate brioche and a Petit Dessert Du Jour - carrot, chantilly, hazelnut and chocolate - I sat myself down in front of the window peering into the kitchen where many a baked treat has been made so far.
The Petit Dessert was like a deconstructed carrot cake - a fluffy mousse on top, layered with carrot cake rounds and chantilly cream throughout. Even though I am not usually a big fan of carrot cake, the subtle creamy flavours left me scraping the bottom for more.
The Chocolate brioche was not bad either - would have been fantastic if it had been served piping hot from the oven though! The chocolate chunks throughout the brioche and sugar crystals sprinkled on top were delicious!
Becasse Bakery
L5 Westfield Sydney Pitt Street Sydney 2000 NSW Australia
Hello Happy - Pitt Street, Sydney
Having visited their store in Chatswood several times to buy their beautifully packaged biscuits (their mega chocolate chip cookies are wonderful) - I was pleasantly surprised to discover they have also set up shop beneath Shinara Japanese/Korean BBQ restaurant, right beside Macchiato on Pitt Street.
Not quite sure sure what to order besides the chococlate chip cookie and peanut butter brioche to take home, I decided to be adventurous and try their rice dessert roll and yoghurt smoothie.
The rice dessert reminded me of a donut but was not sweet as I expected and the smoothie reminded me of yakult with soda water throughout. I think I ended up spending more time gazing at the other desserts at the counter I should have ordered instead.
Hello Happy Bakery
1/338-344 Pitt Street
Sydney NSW 2000
(02) 9262 9218
Oh wow - I did eat a lot this weekend...back to the gym for me!
Sunday 24 April 2011
My favourite Japanese picks!
Best karaage chicken - Ton Ton Takeaway Japanese
I crave this chicken weekly...sometimes more than once a week...the chicken is AMAZING and affordable! Served with a salad, rice and most importantly, Japanese mayonnaise, I highly recommend the karaage chicken don. Located in the Regent Place complex below the Lumiere apartments, this fast food establishment has become a favourite of mine since it opened several years ago. Owned by Kimitaka Azuma of Azuma fame (Chifley Square and more recently Regent Place also), this takeaway joint serves up everything from edamame to spicy miso ramen with most dishes under $12.
Ton Ton Takeaway Japanese - Regent
Ground Floor
501 George Street
Sydney NSW 2000 Australia
(02) 9267 1313
www.tontontakeaway.com.au
Best Japanese Desserts - Azuma Patisserie and Cafe
I have come a long way from my first ever Japanese tea ceremony where I held no appreciation for Japanese sweets whatsoever. Since then, I have developed more than an acquired taste to Japanese desserts. Only until recently have the likes of tai-yaki, mochi, Japanese crepes and green tea creme brulees graced the Sydney foodie scene and I rate Azuma Patisserie one of the best I have come across outside of Japan. Be sure to try their green tea soft serve yoghurt, fluffy chiffon cakes (plain, green tea, chai, chocolate - the list goes on!) and their beautifully decorated Monburan (Mont Blanc - chestnut cakes).
501 George Street
Sydney NSW 2000 Australia
(02) 9267 7701
www.azuma.com.au/cafe
Best Japanese Hamburg
No that is not a typo - there is a difference in Japan between hamburg (hanbaagu) and hamburger (hanbagaa ) - the first refers to the hamburger patty and the latter to the hamburger you would find at the likes of McDonalds and MOS Burger (oh MOS burger how I miss thee).
Poporo, a cheap and cheerful Japanese restaurant located in Market City Chinatown, serve up some tasty meals, including their Hambaagu donburi. Be sure to also try one of their green tea ice-cream floats, complete with Hawaiian umbrella!
Poporo Japanese Restaurant
Market City
Top Floor, Shop 301, 9-13 Hay St Haymarket NSW 2000 Australia(02) 9211 2777 Best Ramen Noodles - Ramen KanAlso located in the Haymarket end of Sydney, up the dodgy elevator, sits a cosy polished cafe style restaurant that serves some of the best ramen in Sydney. My all time favourite is the Chicken Nanban hiyashi ramen (chilled ramen noodles with fried chicken and tartare sauce) - a summer specialty but appreciated by my stomach all year round.
Ramen Kan1/90 Hay Street
Haymarket NSW 2000
(02) 9211 6677
Daily 11:30am - 11pm
I crave this chicken weekly...sometimes more than once a week...the chicken is AMAZING and affordable! Served with a salad, rice and most importantly, Japanese mayonnaise, I highly recommend the karaage chicken don. Located in the Regent Place complex below the Lumiere apartments, this fast food establishment has become a favourite of mine since it opened several years ago. Owned by Kimitaka Azuma of Azuma fame (Chifley Square and more recently Regent Place also), this takeaway joint serves up everything from edamame to spicy miso ramen with most dishes under $12.
 |
Karaage Chicken Don - $10.00 |
Ton Ton Takeaway Japanese - Regent
Ground Floor
501 George Street
Sydney NSW 2000 Australia
(02) 9267 1313
www.tontontakeaway.com.au
Best Japanese Desserts - Azuma Patisserie and Cafe
I have come a long way from my first ever Japanese tea ceremony where I held no appreciation for Japanese sweets whatsoever. Since then, I have developed more than an acquired taste to Japanese desserts. Only until recently have the likes of tai-yaki, mochi, Japanese crepes and green tea creme brulees graced the Sydney foodie scene and I rate Azuma Patisserie one of the best I have come across outside of Japan. Be sure to try their green tea soft serve yoghurt, fluffy chiffon cakes (plain, green tea, chai, chocolate - the list goes on!) and their beautifully decorated Monburan (Mont Blanc - chestnut cakes).
 |
Assortment of Japanese cakes and desserts from $5 |
Azuma Patisserie and Cafe - Regent
Ground Floor501 George Street
Sydney NSW 2000 Australia
(02) 9267 7701
www.azuma.com.au/cafe
Best Japanese Hamburg
No that is not a typo - there is a difference in Japan between hamburg (hanbaagu) and hamburger (hanbagaa ) - the first refers to the hamburger patty and the latter to the hamburger you would find at the likes of McDonalds and MOS Burger (oh MOS burger how I miss thee).
Poporo, a cheap and cheerful Japanese restaurant located in Market City Chinatown, serve up some tasty meals, including their Hambaagu donburi. Be sure to also try one of their green tea ice-cream floats, complete with Hawaiian umbrella!
 |
| Teri Mayo Hamburg Don ($12.90) |
 |
Green Tea Float ($6.90) |
Market City
Top Floor, Shop 301, 9-13 Hay St Haymarket NSW 2000 Australia(02) 9211 2777 Best Ramen Noodles - Ramen KanAlso located in the Haymarket end of Sydney, up the dodgy elevator, sits a cosy polished cafe style restaurant that serves some of the best ramen in Sydney. My all time favourite is the Chicken Nanban hiyashi ramen (chilled ramen noodles with fried chicken and tartare sauce) - a summer specialty but appreciated by my stomach all year round.
 |
Chicken Nanban Hiyashi Ramen ($11.90) |
Haymarket NSW 2000
(02) 9211 6677
Daily 11:30am - 11pm
Ms. G's - Potts Point
One of Merivale's newer offerings, Ms. G's is the uber trendy Asian inspired restaurant that opened in late 2010. Unlike it's sister venues in the CBD (think The Ivy, Establishment etc.), Ms. G's is inconspicuously located in the lazy by day, busy by night Victoria Street in Potts Point.
Ms. G's flashing pink neon sign is an introduction to the cheeky humour that is reflected in the furnishings, the menu and even the restrooms of the restaurant with the play on words on the food additive - note the reference to the "six two one" on the wall - the food additive code for MSG.
The menu offers a range of dishes that have a strong Vietnamese influence with splashes of Chinese, Japanese, Malaysian and Thai for good measure. My visit here was on a late Sunday afternoon after a big night out, so the bite sized servings, laidback and non-pretentious staff together with it's calm ambience was certainly a welcomed plus.
Nevertheless, this did not stop me from firstly ordering their famous Yuzu slushee - part of their packaged cocktail menu (plastic sealed cups and bubble tea sized straws). While I am not a huge fan of sour drinks, yuzu is one of those flavours that remind me of my time in Japan - an aromatic fruit that falls between a lemon, grapefruit and mandarin. Slightly too tart for my liking and slightly too much alcohol for this time of the day but still thought the packaging was cute :)
The main dish, Egg noodles with XO sauce, braised duck and soft poached egg, was slightly disappointing but probably only due to my aversion towards the smell of duck. After a few small helpings, I moved onto dessert: Stoners Delight.
Ms. G's flashing pink neon sign is an introduction to the cheeky humour that is reflected in the furnishings, the menu and even the restrooms of the restaurant with the play on words on the food additive - note the reference to the "six two one" on the wall - the food additive code for MSG.
The menu offers a range of dishes that have a strong Vietnamese influence with splashes of Chinese, Japanese, Malaysian and Thai for good measure. My visit here was on a late Sunday afternoon after a big night out, so the bite sized servings, laidback and non-pretentious staff together with it's calm ambience was certainly a welcomed plus.
Nevertheless, this did not stop me from firstly ordering their famous Yuzu slushee - part of their packaged cocktail menu (plastic sealed cups and bubble tea sized straws). While I am not a huge fan of sour drinks, yuzu is one of those flavours that remind me of my time in Japan - an aromatic fruit that falls between a lemon, grapefruit and mandarin. Slightly too tart for my liking and slightly too much alcohol for this time of the day but still thought the packaging was cute :)
 |
Ms. G's Famous Yuzu Slushee - Limoncello, Russian Standard vodka, yuzu juice and Regan’s orange bitters ($14) |
Next were the starters and smaller plates - definitely the highlight of my visit to Ms. G's. The Mini Banh Mi (a take on Vietnamese rolls) were crunchy bursts of flavour with pork belly on one and crumbed chicken on the other, coupled with pickled carrot and daikon, pate, coriander and mayonnaise. The prawn toast with aioli mayonnaise were fantastic - generous in size, crispy on the outside and succulent on the inside.
 |
| Mini Banh Mi - crisp pork belly roll and chicken katsu roll ($6) |
 |
| Prawn toast, yuzu aioli, herbs ($14) |
The main dish, Egg noodles with XO sauce, braised duck and soft poached egg, was slightly disappointing but probably only due to my aversion towards the smell of duck. After a few small helpings, I moved onto dessert: Stoners Delight.
 |
| Egg noodles with XO sauce, braised duck and soft poached egg ($16) |
 |
| Stoners Delight ($12) |
This dessert was just what the doctor ordered on this lazy Sunday afternoon - small morsels of what reminded me of Chocolate crackles, a subtley flavoured banana icecream, crunchy peanut brittle and a lightly whipped melt in your mouth pieces of marshmallow.
Just before leaving, the resident DJ was just setting up his decks - no doubt getting ready for the evening rush. Perched on the top floor of this 5 storey loft style restaurant with its rustic yet amusing Asian decor, he and the rest of the Ms. G's staff will no doubt be seeing me again.
Ms. G's
155 Victoria Street West
Potts Point,NSW 2143
(02) 8313 1000
Potts Point,NSW 2143
(02) 8313 1000
Mon-Thu 6pm-10pm; Fri-Sat 12pm-3pm, 6pm-10pm;
Sun 12pm-3pm, 6pm-11pm
Saturday 23 April 2011
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