KT's welcome back DDT!!

Holy. Did the sky forget to turn off its tap? Raining during the long weekend was just rude! Lucky we had a good Australian Day celebration, otherwise it would have been totally un-Australian!!

But our spirits were not dampened by the rain. We've been doing our dessert rain hail or shine for the last 4 years! And our KT is back - hooray to the Return of the Queen!

The Grounds at Alexandria was a popular spot worth waiting 45 minutes for. By the time KT arrived it was abuzz with activity and the queue of people did not seem to stop (neither did the rain...) Just looking at the sweets counter brings a smile to my face. And knowing they take great pride in their coffee .... I could probably stay here all day.

Good coffee, even when it was cooled it was enjoyable. Fabulous french toast - pick of the day. Thick cut banana bread was also delectable. Strawberry and cream was very lovely - I think it sandwiched creme patissier with whipped cream which made it nice and light. The jams that came with the banana bread or sourdough toast were really fruity and intense, love love love!

I'd heard the name Bitton before, not remembering where I heard this from. So when KT said she read it in the good food guide book, it was a "what are we waiting for". As soon as we saw it, I remembered... their products and cookbooks were everywhere! Leaky memory, mine.

I'm now an apprehensive macaron nit-picker. I love these delicate little puffs of almond meringue, but hate the ones that just LOOK like macarons. You just can't tell good from bad because they all look the same. Bitton had some interesting flavours - enough to entice us with "give us one of each, thanks" (except Bounty, as none of us were keen on coconut). And we decided also to have custard with muscat and orange salad, mango bavarois TART and citrus TART (NB: we had a debate on whether they're tarts or, as LG insisted, should be flans). [KT: TARTS!]

Macs were well made. But some of the fillings were too sweet for our liking. Citrus tart was lovely and tart. Bavarois was light. Custard with muscut salad was most unusual, and full of liquor (fire hazard!!). But nothing out of the ordinary. Thus the comments were "not bad, but we've had better."

Freebie time - maybe because one of us made a comment of an unpalatable strawberry smoothie (it was definitely too sweet for my liking) - six little dishes of creme brulee! Beautifully made, good consistency. Happy times. And it was great to have freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice on the menu, really helped us wash down the goodies.  

Lovely on a whole, good setting and we were well looked after. Definitely a return-er.

So everyone else went home. My lovely cousin and I soldiered on, braving the weather, checking out Newtown. Where else would I go when in Newtown? Blackstar Bakery. There she was delighted by the strawberry and watermelon cake, and the seemingly unassuming canelle.


And of course, good coffee, as always.

Well KT, after 2 years' absence, we finally have you back. Hope this was as good as what you'd hoped for ... welcome back!!! And welcome our first timers, "the other Katy", and my dear cousin JLo all the way from LA!!

Here's a touristy shot for you out-of-towners!!