Redfern Revamped

Happy 2015! I hope everyone had a fabulously indulgent holiday period! Although December is the month of social gathering (which meant continuous feasting), it still feels odd not having a day of sweet decadence.... and I wonder why I couldn't stay a size 10.

Anyway, who chose this insanely hot day for the first 2015 dessert outing?! Heat leads to lethargy leads to low appetite. Alas - we will practice mind over matter and convince our bodies to continue consuming!

First stop - Three Williams, and I was glad to be there just a little earlier to put my name down. There were many already patiently waiting, and lucky at that stage the heat was bearable. The menu didn't feature many sweet breakfast options, though the counter was full of sugary treats. So we got a bunch of these, plus their famous brioche French toast (with berries), granola with red wine poached pear, a few juices and of course, my all important morning flat white.

The French toast was a hit - no wonder it received such raving reviews. As was the green dairy free "super smoothie" with kale - deliciously refreshing and light. My granola was also very tasty. Good coffee too, well rounded and smooth. The mini pots and the other sweets however received mixed reviews - the lemon cheese cake and the chocolate mousse pot impressed but not the raspberry mousse and the berry trifle (not bad, just not as exciting). The friand was deliciously moist and tangy. Not so delicious and a bit dry was the chocolate fondant.



When we mentioned to our gorgeous waitress that their French toast would be quadruply good if it came with maple syrup and bacon - more meaning it should be on the menu than asking for a side of syrup and bacon - she then quietly slipped a large serving of crispy bacon and a dish of maple syrup! That made our CEO a VERY happy little pig... :D [KT: I ordered bacon & maple syrup with a side of French toast, didn't I?]

We promise to return for their other offerings - their truffled mushroom on toast for example, huge pile of sautéed mushroom filled with aromas of truffle ... love love love....

Next stop, Breadfern.

                                    HOT.....

Luckily it was bearable sitting in the shade, with a bit of breeze, as we munched on the goods. Top marks go to the passionfruit curd (though with too-thick a pastry) and the lusciously moist chocolate and salted caramel fondant. Strawberry frangipane tart didn't seem to stick in my memory as I only had a minimal bite (or was it a little dry?) I never got to the mini mocha cupcakes though they did look very attractive to me. [KT: my favourite!]

Just across the road was Tapeo, which we consumed with the goods from Breadfern. The pound cake was a bit dry (maybe a day old?) while the fig and cardamom cake was rather flavourful, though we would have needed some tea to wash it down. In this weather? Maybe not.

As it turned out, Barn Doors Cafe was to be our last stop thanks to the heat and the lack of tantalising offerings in subsequent scheduled stops. Ricotta pancakes with kaffir lime and malt syrup - fluffy pancakes with chunks of ricotta - incredible despite our full stomachs and lack of appetite in this heat. They also made fresh juices and smoothies - I opted for the thick açai and banana smoothie. Açai is a slightly tangy super-berry popular in South America but only slowly being introduced to Australia.

Satisfied and stomachs bursting, we dragged ourselves home in the heat... if only we did our tour on the next day - coldest Australia day in 50 years!!

CS