Swimming in the classic Bather's Pavillion

We have revisited many past DDT favourites. Adriano Zumbo, La Renaissance/Baroque, Blackstar Bakery, Bourke St Bakery, but for some reason despite having had one of the most amazing dessert memories, we never revisited Bathers on a DDT event. That said, I'd returned many other times, where I'd enjoyed more than just their delectable sweets.

It's the middle of winter. Of course it made sense to be at the beach. Today, if it weren't for the chill in the shades, it would be hard to believe it was a winter's day. Blue sky, mild breeze, bikinis and board shorts on the beach, sun baking (thankfully no budgie smugglers in our field of view). The day could not have been more perfect.

Our plan of attack was to start with the breakfast menu items at 11, leisurely finish our breakfast and move straight on to desserts on the lunch menu after 12. Two "courses" - talk about decadent!!

Poached rhubarb with blood orange and mandarin segments, sheep milk yogurt and pistachio - it was gorgeous! The sheep yogurt was mild, different from cows milk yogurt, but didn't have that familiar sheep cheese flavour that we disliked. Lighter in texture too, maybe. Definitely a delicious but light breakfast for those counting calories.

Cinnamon French toast with caramelised bananas was a major hit - it was so good, lightly crunchy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, just fabulous and hopefully will stay on the menu forever. I know, it looked like toast with baked beans, but 100 times better!

To wash it all down, a lovely "The Grounds Alexandria" coffee, or a refreshing cranberry watermelon and pineapple mocktail.

Second course - selected from the lunch menu - caramel creme brulee, pear bourdaloue tart with pistachio ice cream, and quince tarte tatin with star anise ice cream.

Our memory of the Bathers creme brulee was classic vanilla. Way back when, we thought they had the BEST classic creme brulee - perfect texture, flavour, smooth creamy heavenly goodness. Today's creme brulee was different - it was caramel flavoured, and topped with caramelised banana (what was with our desserts being topped with bananas??!!). It was rich. Still excellent, but guess I miss the classic creme brulee.

I've not had quince other than as quince paste before. It had a texture I could only describe as "like" pear, soft and somewhat 'fluffy'. The anise ice cream was smooth and licorice flavoured - good balance, not overpowering, not something I'd like but that was because I wasn't keen on the flavour itself.

Pear tart - looks unassuming, but the almond-based filling was gorgeously light and fluffy, like a financier cake. The pistachio ice cream was not as stunning as the star anise ice cream in terms of that hit of flavour. But I could eat this tart all day.

Once we have had our fill of sweet goodness, we walked off a fraction of the calories consumed by strolling along the beach on this perfect mild winter's day. Blessed!!

Annual caffeination (and sugarisation) at the Aroma Festival

We do this every year, virtually carbon copy of the year before, but how can you blame us? Clear blue sky, crisp winter's day with warm sunshine on our backs, carnival atmosphere, lovely lovely company, that was what we had at this year's Aroma Festival.

The usual deal - start early, beat the crowds, get our caffeine dose before midday if we could, then kick back and watch the rest of the crowd queue for their coffee because they didn't get up early enough.

Mandatory stop - La Renaissance - where the best macarons in Sydney are made. Big claim? I think not, with every person I introduce these delectable little goodies to, even skeptics (like myself before tasting La Renaissance's macs) are converted at an instant. My research tells me, macarons should be fragile, slightly crispy on the outside, melt in the mouth. Furthermore, the shells should not be sickeningly sweet that overpowers the flavour of the filling. La Renaissance's macs are all that - and never fail to please! Love. My future boy had better propose with a box of macs disguising the carat rock ....

Where was I  ... Ah yes, La Renaissance. Other goodies - Almond croissant, brioche, palmier, apple custard slice, mille feuille, chocolate caramel tart, creme brulee, and gorgeous petit fours - cheese cake, mixed berry mousse and coffee and chocolate mousse. And of course, salted caramel, and choc-passionfruit macarons.

Favourite? For me, the berry mousse, the macs, mille feuille. Cheese cake was excellent, gorgeous classic baked cheese cake. Almond croissant - always lovely (but I miss the choc-almond croissant in Paris... love...). Chocolate tart was rich. Creme brulee was perfect and classic. Apple custard slice was like an apple pie with light and flaky pastry. Palmier was good (but maybe still not as good as La Gerber d'Or). Could not fault any of their dessert, except maybe the size, they're just too small. :p

Time for a stroll. So many goodies, so many people, and so many people enjoying the many goodies everywhere. Again we are most fortunate with the weather, everyone was out and about, taking it in. And this year's coffee art - We've had Mona Lisa, Marilyn Monroe, who would it be this year? Our very own, Dame Edna!

Once the sun left us, it got cold. The lovely deceptive blue sky was only kind to us when the sun was out. By mid afternoon it was rather unbearable in the shade ... so we took our leave and left the long queues to the patient people needing their mid afternoon caffeine fix. Aroma festival, I'll see you next year!!

CS

[KT: Welcome to first time DDDs Ada, Woody, Yujin, Amy & Kelly! What happened to the "sweet" potato chips, CS? hehe]