Marie Antoinette High Tea

Lime curd meringue tart with Marie's portrait, macaroon with fresh blueberries, beetroot and cherry cupcake and the upside down portrait of Marie.

It's exams period at the uni(versity not uni as in the sea urchin... I wish!!!) and I am getting stressed out. So, if this entry sounds kinda choppy and short, I apologize in advance. If you remember the Guylian episode, I learnt from it by not expecting too much from the Marie Antoinette high tea. The result? I was happy with the outcome.

Mask for the theme, water and the chandon rose with J on the background

J was already waiting for me when I got there and right away the waiter gave us both water without being asked. The same when my other friend arrived. That... is good service. Then we got our chandon rose. I love a good bubble, especially after not having any alcohol for since I broke my foot...

The whole shebang: quite overwhelming!

The two tiered plates came next and we were speechless at how many food there were. I was pre-warned after I saw it on love my food and sugar's blog and checking it out on google, but still that was a lot of sweets on the top plate!

Slow roast beef with cream cheese stuffed baby belle pepper, the savory platter, deviled egg on heart toasted brioche and kiwi and orange croissant with mascarpone

Avocado and shrimp tartar and deviled egg on heart toasted brioche

I ate all of the savories and my favorite was the kiwi and orange croissant with mascarpone. The sweets though, I truly struggled! I liked the lime curd merengue tart, and cheated with the blueberry macaroon and chocolate cream with exotic fruit caramel and candied walnuts. I only ate a bite each... I managed to eat the scones which were warm and savory, served with their version of clotted cream and strawberry jam.

Scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam: a high tea isn't one without some scones...

I chalk this up as a successful Sydney International Food Festival 2010 =)

The Westin Sydney Hotel

No. 1 Martin Place

Sydney, NSW 2000

Click here for the complete menu

100 Mile dinner at Bistrode CBD

Bistrode CBD Menu

Last week's Wednesday (Oct 27), I went with love my food and sugar to Bistrode CBD's 100 mile dinner. The idea is to have a meal where the ingredients involved were gathered from within 100 mile radius of the restaurant. Sounds like an interestingly green and support your local economy concept. I was quite curious as to what the food would be like as well since it has changed its chef. I also wondered if the charming Irish host, Howard would be there. Turned out, he is still there. He stopped by to say hello after noticing love my food and sugar's big ass dslr.

My slice of sourdough

I was famished when we got there and was quite happy that they started serving. The sourdough was perfect to stifle my stomach from rebelling. I truly enjoyed the Diamond Creek Olive oil as it tasted so fresh and delicious with a pinch of salt that I added, I was so tempted to request for another slice of bread but refrained from fear of over eating later.

Salted blue eye croquette and tomato ketchup

Twenty minutes later we got our first dish: salted blue eye croquette and tomato ketchup with rockets on the side. My first thought was, OMG it's so tiny! What it lacked in size it made up in taste, it was delish. However, the croquette was a bit too salty so after I cut out mine into smaller pieces I smothered them with the ketchup on the side :)

Sand whiting , Sydney rock oysters, young leeks and peas

Thirty minutes later, we got our third dish: sand whiting , Sydney rock oysters, young leeks and peas. This is what quintessential English food is in my head. I took a bite of the oysters first and was surprised that again it was a tad too salty... The fish was nice though and the best part of it all was the peas. I am not a big fan of peas, but on this dish they were bursting with sweetness and crunchyness. I am a convert pea fans now.

Warm Thirlmere duck salad

It took us less than 10 minutes to devoured this and thirty minutes later, our duck salad arrived. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that: 1. the duck was smoked and 2. there were different parts of duck being used including liver or maybe it was gizzard. The greens were fresh, sweet and crunchy, balancing the saltiness of the duck. So far this was my favorite dish.

Three ways pork with black pudding

Then the much awaited main dish: three ways pork. There were shoulder, loin, and crispy thinly sliced ears. Yes, ears! I was so surprised! I would expect that from a Chinese restaurant but not from a bistro. I couldn't wait to taste them. The shoulder and loin were tender and the ears? Crispy and savory. It wasn't enough... When Howard came along to take our plates, he noticed that I hadn't eaten my black pudding and he threatened not to give me dessert if I didn't try. I didn't, but he showed mercy and gave me my dessert hehe...

Mulberry soup and Paesanella Mascarpone Sorbet

The dessert was the best of it all. That saying "less is more" is so true. The mulberry soup was soft and understated but surprisingly leaving you wanting more. The mascarpone sorbet was plain enough but not so plain that sweeten the whole dish. I would love to have more of that.

It was a nice English meal experience and hopefully the mulberry soup is here to stay on the menu as a regular.

Bistrode CBD

Level 1 Corner of York and Kent St

Sydney, NSW 2000

+61 2 9240 3000

Open Mon-Fri for lunch and dinner