Princess Coco Part 2!

So you might have read my post last week when I went to check out Princess Coco when they had their 'sneak preview' opening. They were closed again monday to wednesday this week for further 'training, security and refrigeration upgrade'. Today they were open again and I decided to buy a couple of their individual cakes to take home and share with my mum (THE cake lover of all time).

Sorry mum, there's only 2 cakes in there!

Admittedly these cakes are not cheap, they're around the $8.50 mark for takeaway and around $12.50 for eat in but they looked really good and definitely worth a try.

Ooh I cannot wait to eat these pretty things!

The first piece I chose was a raspberry and chocolate cake - it has a crunchy biscuit base which contains nuts (hazelnuts I think?) topped with layers of chocolate and raspberry. Decorated with fresh raspberry and pistachio, some silver leaf and a delicate curl of chocolate it's almost too pretty to eat. But oh my does it taste good. Really good! The base has a nice roasted nutty flavour, the raspberry layer is tart and fresh and the dark chocolate mousse is smooth and not too sweet - it all combines together really well and it's not too sweet at all.

Raspberry chocolate cake - layer upon layer of yum!

The second piece was a raspberry mousseline (or was it just called berry mousseline? I can't remember now I'm afraid). It's a round cake and cute as a button and very striking in colour. There's a thin cake layer on the bottom, topped with the berry mousseline and decorated with chopped nuts, a small cube of coconut dusted marshmallow and an arc of chocolate. Mum did the honours of cutting it in half for me to get an inside shot but had a little mishap as you can see in the photo, oops! Inside there is actually a disc of mango mousse (or something like mousse). Dang this cake is realllly good as well. The berry and mango components are very fresh and you can tell they use real fruit for both the cakes. It's tart and fresh with just the right level of sweetness. Yum!!

Berry (raspberry?) mousseline. Arrrgh cake down! cake down!

I'm really impressed by these cakes - perfectly balanced flavours and great 'cakemanship' which is clearly evident when you eat them. Yummy!!

What: Princess Coco Chocolaterie
Where: 158-166 Day St, Sydney (Mon-Wed: 7am-8pm, Thu-Fri: 7am-10pm, Sat: 10am-10pm, Sunday closed)
How much: The mousseline is $8.50 takeaway and the raspberry chocolate cake was $9.50.

Princess Coco Chocolaterie - Salon du chocolat

So.. I walk past this block every day and have been eagerly awaiting the opening of Princess Coco. After a long time of no action, the renovations started happening and then last week they seemed like they were training staff and preparing to finally open (yes, I was peeking through the glass doors whenever I could catch a glimpse!).

Today the store had a 'sneak preview' opening with the official opening on August 29 which will have the full menu available.

View from outside.. those chandeliers are bright and sparkly!

I like the fit out which is in line with their belle epoque style (see the story on their website) - pretty chandeliers, comfy purple and gold chairs, soft music which isn't too loud so it's a relaxing space which is suitable for conversation too. Service was polite, prompt and unobtrusive with menus and water provided as soon as we sat down. Oh and behind the counter you can see into the kitchen which I like as this means they at least make some, if not all, of the food there!

Hmm... glass cabinet full of chocolates

Seating along the side

And they use Valrhona chocolate so how can you go wrong? I decided to try something simple - Earl Grey chocolate noir (Caraibe dark chocolate with hints of bergamot). The earl grey flavour is just right - strong but not overpowering. The chocolate was a tad too sweet for my liking but that's just personal preference. It's a little on the pricey side with takeaway at $6.50 and dine-in $8.50 but nothing out of the ordinary for a chocolate cafe and looking at the displays of macarons, cakes and chocolates I think the quality should be good.

I'll definitely be interested to see what the full menu will be like and to try some more of their stuff!

I'd like one of these chairs in my home! Earl Grey chocolat noir and the macarons on display.

Cakes look pretty.... might go back and buy one...

What: Princess Coco Chocolaterie
Where: 158-166 Day St, Sydney (Mon-Wed: 7am-8pm, Thu-Fri: 7am-10pm, Sat: 10am-10pm, Sunday closed)
How much: Hot chocolate was $6.50 takeaway and $8.50 dine in.

Four Ate Five Cafe

It's a sunny Sunday morning and a few of our Supper Nights crew have gathered for brunch at the very popular Four Ate Five cafe in Surry Hills. And it sure is popular - we've wisely called 15min ahead to add our names to the waiting list (a handy tip) but even so it's still quite a wait. There's a decent jumble of people waiting for their turn to eat despite other cafes in close proximity looking like less of a wait. I think to myself that this place must be really trendy or have really good food.

There's a few little tables on the pavement enjoying some winter sun, the occassional takeaway coffee being purchased and a display of baked goods at the front window reminding you that you're getting hungry. Finally our names are called and we are seated at a table. The place is small and busy with a bit of a hippie feel but not so crowded that you can't hear your own voice. Our waitress was friendly and efficient - in no time we had perused both the breakfast and lunch menus and placed our orders. 

Hello there mr brownie and miss carrot cake and mr lamington..

Watch out for the stepasaurus!!!!

Drinks are first up. There are a few tempting choices including marsala chai tea brewed with milk and honey but I've decided to go for something light and choose the watermelon, pear & mint juice ($5.50). There's not much pear or mint flavour, I can only taste watermelon - maybe a slight boo boo? Meanwhile the table next to us has fresh mint tea and they look like they're having fun with the 'honey guns' that come as a vessel of sweetening the tea. The others opt for fresh fruit smoothies ($7.50). Strawberry and vanilla has the promised fresh strawberry taste while the banana, cinammon & honey tastes of all those things. In one word - yum! They are both so tasty that I almost regret not ordering a smoothie but I remind myself that I have to save room for the food...

Mmm smoothie tastes good, juice on the other hand - more pear and mint please!

Should have got the fresh mint tea... should have got the fresh mint tea...

Everything on the menu sounds good. After the long wait for the table I expect the food to take a while but it's surprisingly quick. The first meal to arrive is the beef burger w/ pickled beetroot, aioli, cheddar, onion relish, lettuce & tomato chutney, served w/ hand cut chips ($17 from the lunch menu). I like the chips as they've got a squidgy potato-ness to them and the sample I got of the burger is everything a burger should be - fresh and full of taste. Then there's roast beef w/ onion relish, fresh tomato, dijon mustard, aioli, polski ogorki & cos lettuce on grilled sourdough ($13, also from the lunch menu). It's slightly more modest and healthy in comparison to the burger but still full of flavour - another winner.

Roast beef sandwich - now that's a sandwich.

Out come the two breakfasts that us girls have ordered - free range eggs with toast ($9). Steph's chosen the fried eggs and added beef chipolatas ($3.50) and I've opted for scrambled eggs with potato & fennel hash ($3.50). We've both got haloumi too ($4) - briney, squeaky and heavenly. Jess would have definitely gotten the haloumi too because she is a certified haloumi fanatic! (hee!) Everything is cooked nicely although we both find the toast a little tough to bite through but it's more of an observation than a complaint.

Beef burger with hand cut chips? Eggs and toast? It's all good but haloumi is where it's at!

In no time we are full and satisfied and I think everyone's enjoyed the food as much as I have. As to whether Four Ate Five is popular because of trendiness or food? It is indeed a bit trendy but I think the food is definitely the reason why people are willing to line up - it's not overly complicated or fancy, the ingredients are fresh and it's cooked well and that makes for a good brunch.

Last but not least, a message to Jess and Dave - be safe over in London and take care!


What: Four Ate Five Cafe
Where: 485 Crown Street, Surry Hills 02 96986485
How much: check out their website for the menu and prices

Return to Central Baking Depot - Quiche and Cake

After my recent trip to Central Baking Depot, I was keen to go back. In particular, I was keen to try the Flourless Chocolate and Sour Cherry Slice. Well, I did go back. I went back at 4pm on a weekday when having a late lunch. I was hoping to sit in the cafe and relax a little but apparently it's only takeaway at this hour. So I took my treats to the park instead.

I was thinking of getting the Beef Brisket pie again but there weren't any left so I made a last minute decision to get the Pancetta and Gruyere Cheese Quiche. I don't know about others, but everytime I order a quiche I am instantly hit by a pang of regret. "What am I doing?!" is what I would usually think. Why you may ask? Because quiche usually has a disproportionate amount of egg which makes it a little bland and overly-eggy in a weird way. So I ordered this Pancetta and Gruyere Cheese Quiche and immediately started to question my judgement. To make matters worse I noticed on the way to the park that the paper bag was getting rather oily. Oh no! Was I to meet an eggy-oily fate? I took my first bite. Crunch!! Sure the pastry is a little on the oily side, but you barely notice it cause it's so crunchy and tasty. And then there's the pancetta - there is loads of it!!! The filling for the quiche is not at all over-eggy. I hardly remember the oil when I'm eating it, that's how good it is.

Enough pancetta to raise your cholesterol, in a most tasty way.

With savouries out of the way, it was time to finally taste the Flourless Chocolate and Sour Cherry Slice which I had oggled on previous occasions but never bought. It looked good in the shop but then after eating the quiche I worried if it was going to be too oily too. It's probably not that healthy - but dang it tastes good! It's so moist and soft and light you can practically inhale it. The chocolate flavour is nice, the only complaint is that there's not that many sour cherries. If there were a few more it would be even more awesome. One word - yum! Hmm.. what next to try from Central Baking Depot......

Have you sniffed this recently?

What: Pancetta and Gruyere Cheese Quiche, Flourless Chocolate and Sour Cherry Slice
Where: Central Baking Depot
How much: Quiche was $4.40 and Slice was $4.50

Central Baking Depot - Beef brisket, mushroom & red wine pie

For someone who's spent 5/6ths of their life living in Sydney, I've managed to not pick up some quintessential Sydney traits. I don't spend weekends at the beach, hardly drink beer and I don't watch the nrl religiously. Ok, I don't watch nrl at all. But one very Australian food that I've become very attached to over the years is the meat pie. So simple - a bit of pastry that holds some meat in sauce. It doesn't sound like much to get excited about but when done right a meat pie is heaven on earth to me.

This is where Central Baking Depot comes in. The 'little brother' of Bourke Street Bakery that's located in the CBD (CBD, Central Baking Depot.. co-incidence? I think not!), it has breads, cakes, pastries, sandwiches, coffee etc etc. There are a few small dine in tables but the large majority seem to line up for takeaway at this awesome bakery. The atmosphere reminds me alot of bakeries that you find in europe. And when I think of european bakeries I inevitably think of Bakken met Passie which is situated a few minutes walk from where Jess used to live in Amsterdam. I would go back to Amsterdam just to eat their amazing ham and cheese croissant which is hands down the best in the whole wide world. So ok, Central Baking Depot is not quiiite Bakken met Passie, but it's not far off and I think Sydney could definitely do with more places like this. I shall proceed to tell you why.

The pies and sausage rolls are supplied by Bourke Street Bakery and I know their sausage rolls are oh so famous but I'm a sucker for a pie and just have to try one. I choose the "beef brisket, mushroom and red wine pie". WOW. The pastry was light and flaky, with a smattering of poppyseeds on top. Inside you'll find REAL beef and NO gristle, surrounded by an abundance of thinly sliced mushrooms and a full flavoured red wine sauce. Beef brisket pie, where have you been all my life?? Everytime I think about this pie I want to eat it. Like.. right now...

Seriously, if you like meat pies half as much as I do, try it. I'm curious to know if anybody else is as impressed as me - so leave a comment if you do eat one and tell me what you think! Oh, I'm also super keen to try their 'flourless chocolate and sour cherry cake' as I remember oggling it the first time I visited Central Baking Depot and it's been waiting for me to try it ever since. In fact, I might have to get a piece during lunch tomorrow...

Flaky layers of pastry reveal a jumble of meat and mushrooms in a very tasty sauce. I kid you not, that is a chunk of real meat! And they don't skimp on the mushrooms either!

What: Central Baking Depot
Where: 37-39 Erskine St, Sydney. Check the website for opening hours and details of their new stores (Bondi Junction opens on 14 March and Neutral Bay in April 2011)
How much: A pie this good doesn't come cheap. It costs $5.30 - but it's worth every cent!

Ching Yip Coffee Lounge

You can probably guess I love food. Something else I also love is a bargain. When the ticket machine on the bus is broken, I don't think anyone is more excited than me about getting a free ride to work (cause that's a saving of $2.64!!!!). So it makes sense that a food bargain is like a match made in heaven. Ching Yip Coffee Lounge has got a great value afternoon tea and daily set menu. Afternoon tea is daily from 3pm-5pm and there are various options which cost either $5, $6 or $7 and all come with tea/coffee. The set meal is about $10 (I can't remember the exact price) and comes with an entree of soup, a main meal which is usually a plate of rice with some kind of dish heaped on and a coffee/tea. There's also the regular menu with loads of options. The best thing about coming here on this occassion was the air-conditioning, which meant some respite from the 40+ degree heat here in Sydney. I ordered the afternoon tea of "Luncheon meat and fried egg sandwich" with an iced lemon tea for the drink. It's a simple sandwich, but the kind that really satisfies with freshly cooked luncheon meat and fluffy egg. Iced lemon tea is just the right level of sweet and not too lemon-y. Apologies for the terrible photos, I had my camera on the wrong setting but I was starving and just couldn't wait to eat!

What better than a food bargain? A food bargain that tastes good.

What: Ching Yip Coffee Lounge
Where: Level 2, Dixon House, 413 Sussex Street, Haymarket
How much: Afternoon tea $5-$7, daily set meal around $10

High

Recently my great aunt came to Sydney from Malaysia stay with us for three months. She's a coffee lover, or rather a caffeine addict should I say. Breakfast, lunch, dinner.. wherever she went she would try a coffee. Anyone who's been to Malaysia will know that good western style coffee is HARD to find. So it was fitting that we take her for one more Sydney-coffee before she flew back to Malaysia. Where better than her favourite coffee spot in Sydney. High - a cafe on High Street in Randwick that apparently serves excellent Toby's Estate coffee. I'm no expert as I don't drink coffee but from all accounts it's a very good coffee indeed and it looks it too:


Large latte - coffee really is the star of High cafe.

 But it's not just the coffee that tastes good, all day breakfast does too. Avocado, tomato and basil on sourdough toast looked light and fresh. Poached eggs with sourdough toast and a side of avocado was polished off with not a scrap to spare, but for me and my great aunt, we just couldn't go past the scrambled eggs with sourdough toast and 2 sides of bacon to share. The bacon is crispy, the scrambled eggs not too runny with the right amount of creaminess and the sourdough toast soft and fresh. It's a comfortable space too - small but cosy with some artwork on the walls and coffee display at the entrance. There was a continuous trickle of customers and not too many staff but service was still friendly. My family will definitely be back for the coffee, it'll be bacon for me again too!


Scrambled eggs with sourdough toast and 2 sides of bacon. Avocado, tomato and basil on sourdough toast.


What: High Cafe
Where: Shop 6, 166 High St Randwick (Mon-Thu 6:30am-4:00pm, Fri 6:30am-3:00pm, Sat/Sun 7:00am-3:00pm)