Chez Shibata, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

I saw all these lovely cake photos from Ms Miffy's album and has been asking her to bring me to these cake shop when I am in Hong Kong. She brought me to Chez Shibata. This is a Japanese patisserie and chocolatier.

Coeur des Bois

We have ordered their signature dish Coeur des Bois. It is a heart shaped raspberry mousse cake and inside there is a surprise filling of raspberry.

Mont Blanc

We have also tried Mont Blanc. This is a chestnut cake with layers of chocolate in a cup. It is hard to find chestnut cake in Sydney. 

La Venus

The last one we have tried for the day is La Venus. This is a rich dark chocolate cake. I cant miss out to try their chocolate. :)

Chez Shibata

Elements

Shop 2003 

1 Austin Road

Tsim Sha Tsui

Hong Kong

Ben & Jerry's, Manly

I have first heard this name when I was travelling in Canada, Prince Edward Island. People in my tour were waving about it. I did not have a chance to try it while I was there. Now finally they are here in Sydney Australia. It just happened that I was at Manly... so I have to try them out!

The ice cream counter showing a lot of variety and I cannot make up my mind which one to pick for! Finally my eyes locked in... Phish Food... because of its interesting name! :)

Phish Food 

The ice cream is chewy, sticky and rich in chocolate taste. It also has the fish shape chocolate to make it crunchy too. :) It satisfied my craving for chocolate, nice!! Now I know why they were waving about it.

Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shop

Shop 5 & 6

25-27 South Steyne
Manly NSW 2100 

Adriano Zumbo Patisserie, Balmain

My chef friend organised a gathering at Adriano Zumbo Patisserie. Arriving there nice and early to avoid disappointment (missing out of selections). We were there so early which we can stop by Bertoni for a cup of coffee. :) 

 Adriano Zumbo Patisserie

This tiny patisserie showing off what they offer. Once you walked in you would just want to pick every single one they are available. 

 Variety

Unfortunately, we can only pick a few of what's available for the date... but obviously it is the most I have tried at a time! :)

Our selection for the day!

Just drooling...

Charlotte Full

This is my favourite of the day! Yummy!!

 Dr. Apple

I like the sourness of this piece of cake. It's just refreshing!!

 Sunny Cloud

 Various Macarons

The must try macarons. His variety is definitely different to others!! :)

Just sweet enough to satisfying my taste bud!! :)
 
Side note: Adriano Zumbo has been nominated as Cleo Bachelor 2010 at the age 28. 

Adriano Zumbo Patisserie
296 Darling Street
Balmain NSW 2041
(02) 9810 7318   

Kushiyaki Azuma: East meets West (Sugar Hit)

I have heard a lot of about the Sugar Hit at Kushiyaki Azuma. This is one of the new eatery offers Sugar Hit this year. Japanese sweets is one of my favourite. Remembering when I was travelling in Japan, their sweets are not just satisfying my stomach but also my eyes!! Every time when you walk past their glass cabinet, you will want to order their whole selection!! After dinner at nearby Wagaya, Photo Enthusiast, Gentle J and I took a slow walk to Kushiyaki Azuma. There was a couple in front of us got turned down. Lucky we have booked ahead otherwise we will be disappointed as well. We didn't wait for too long for our table. They have even prepared a Sugar Hit menu!! So far, this is the only one who have one. Similar to other Sugar Hit, they include either the Brown Brothers 2008 Orange Muscat and Flora or Hennessy VS. The dessert wine is easy drinking. It has a refreshing floral taste to it. The Hennessy VS has a smoky taste.

Left: Brown Brothers 2008 Orange Muscat and Flora; Right: Hennessy VS

We have posed for awhile and our dessert still not yet arrived. When the dessert finally arrived, there is two square boxes to each serving. I am always amaze with the presentation of the Japanese food. The waitress carefully explained what each of the dessert is. After a few snaps, we all start munching in.

Left: Belgium chocolate mousse cake; Right: Vanilla cheesecake

I have been so wrong to start off with the Belgium chocolate mousse cake where there is a vanilla cheesecake which is not as strong in favour. The Belgium chocolate mousse cake is so rich in chocolate and it's as smooth as it can be! As I said before, my taste bud still has the chocolate taste, I cannot taste the vanilla cheesecake. Somehow, my vanilla cheesecake was still frozen when I ate toward the centre of the cake.

Clockwise: Mochi with vanilla ice cream; Brown sugar syrup; Green tea with chestnut filling cake roll; Seaweed biscuits

The green tea cake roll with chestnut filling is a very interesting one. Normally Japanese green tea favour will go with the red bean. This time they used chestnut instead. The sponge cake is full of green tea favour and the chestnut is not those creamy type. They mashed the real chestnut to make the fillings. Although I am not a big fan of chestnut but I quite like it! By the time I was ready to try the mochi with vanilla ice cream, the ice cream has melted as if the mochi was soaked with milk! They even let you mix your own sweetness. The brown syrup is served with a setup cup which is a big plus for me!! I don't really syrup very much. So many piece of cake have I gone through... still have two seaweed biscuits to go!!

It's not just taste good but really good value for money! I will definitely go back to their Patisserie to try their cakes again.

Note: Sugar Hit is available only during October month. Booking is essential.


Kushiyaki Azuma
Ground Floor, Regent Place Shopping, 501 George Street, Sydney NSW
Phone (02) 9267 7775

Hilton Sydney: Chocolate Assiette (Sugar Hit)

The long anticipated Sugar Hit at Hilton finally arrived. We were supposed to go there last week but this Sugar Hit is so good that they were fully booked. This time is also coincided with Tigger A & Cheeky B baptism celebration.

Glass Brasserie

Once our group has been settled down, the waiter came and check up whether we want to replace the Hennessy cognac with tea or coffee. Since I enjoy the cognac more than the tea or coffee, I did not want to replace it! :) First the cognac arrived, ohoh... just remembered that I have to drive so I cant drink the cognac. But I can only imagine how good the cognac taste like!! ;)

Hennessy Cognac

It did not take too long for the chocolate assiette to arrive... not sure if this is because I was busy taking photos and checking up the camera setting etc!

Chocolate Assiette

My first bite was the Earl Grey tea ice cream rolled in cookies and cream biscuit with white chocolate and pandan parfait. I don't know what's the word to describe it. The combination is just so brilliant!!!

Left: Earl Grey tea ice cream rolled in cookies and cream biscusit with white chocolate and pandan parfait; Right: Chocolate fondant

Then I was onto the raspberry marshmallow bitter chocolate fondue. I love bitter chocolate. The sourness of the fresh raspberry balances out the bitterness of the chocolate.

Raspberry marshmallow bitter chocolate fondue

Finally the chocolate fondant. This is the heaviest chocolate piece out of the three but it is also very nice. I was so melted in the chocolate. Arr... what a way to finish the night!!Once again, congratulation to Tigger A & Cheeky B on your baptism. Your testimony is really encouraging. Keep up with your good work!!

Side note: our group is more than 10 people and they have a 10% surcharge on the bill. Booking is essential. They serve the Sugar Hit from 9pm to 11pm.


Glass Brasserie
Level 2, Hilton Hotel, 488 George Street, Sydney NSW
Phone 02 9265 6068

Shangri-La Hotel: Hazelnut Delight (Sugar Hit)

Today I was suppose to go to Bowral for the Tulip Time. Unfortunately, the weather forecast says that there will be thunderstorm. The organiser has cancelled the event... so staying at home relaxing... and preparing myself to work after a long weekend. On the side note, there was no rain at all in the morning but in fact sunny. The thunderstorm came around 4-5pm... which we might already back in Sydney. :(

Miss 1000D called up and says, "let's go to Sugar Hit tonight". How can I resist such an offer? Didn't have a chance to take the flowers in the morning, now another chance to pick up my camera and take photos of dessert... what a substitute!! :p

When we arrived at Shangri-La Hotel, we went to their Lobby Lounge where they serve Sugar Hit. We have the option to choose Brown Brothers dessert wine or Hennessy cognac. Last year I have fall in love with cognac... so I have chosen the cognac and the rest of the group chose the dessert wine.

Brown Brothers Dessert Wine & Hennessy Cognac

Waited not long, the Hazelnut Delight finally came. Since we were still waiting for some other late comers, we, the photographers, took our time to take the best picture out of this dish! :D It s also to make up the disappointment of the cancelled Bowral trip.

Hazelnut Delight

The hazelnut delight is hazelnut torte, lemon curd, sugar coated hazelnuts and lemon jelly. However, when the dish came, the sugar coated hazelnuts went missing. Instead they put the sticky hard popcorn on top of the torte.


The hazelnut torte was missing the nutty favour and the lemon centre which take up most of the favour. Overall the torte is a bit sweet for me. Interestingly the lemon jelly looks and tastes like some soft jelly from the packet. :O It also lack of lemon taste.


This is a disappointing first Sugar Hit this year. But the good old cognac still tastes good! :) I guess I have to wait for more comment from others before I am going to try out more.


Shangri-La Hotel
Sydney Lobby Lounge
176 Cumberland Street
The Rocks NSW
Phone 02 9250 6000

Baked Ricotta Cheesecake, Haberfield

As I drove past Haberfield, I remembered the baked ricotta cheesecake which is highly recommended by my colleague. It has also recently reviewed by Sydney Morning Herald as one of the top cheesecake shop. I have to quickly find myself a car park near the shop.

Pasticceria Papa

Lucky there wasn't a queue at the shop. I browsed through the cake display and checked if I missed out some other goodies. Thinking back of my mind, I have to consider my waistline. I just placed an order for a piece of the cheesecake and a cup of green tea.

Their cheesecake is different to others. It is covered with icing sugar and cinnamon. The cheese filling is cover with baked sponge cake and the filling is soft and gooey. When I put a bite in my mouth, I cant use any word to describe it. I am sure I will come back for more. :) The green tea is organic type. It is good to wash down the cheesecake.

Baked Ricotta Cheesecake

How can I miss this opportunity to go to another Pasticceria to try their goodies? Browsing their display, it is not as nicely display as Pasticceria Papa, but still attracted me to buy their almond biscuits to try at home. Unfortunately, I didnt try a piece before my dad finishes them all for me!! :O Now I have to imagine how good each one of them taste like by looking at this photo.

Variety of Almond Biscuits

Pasticceria Papa Continental Cakes & Bread
145 Ramsay Street, Haberfield NSW
Phone (02) 9798 6894

A & P Sulfaro Pasticceria Italiana
119 Ramsay Street, Haberfield NSW
Phone (02) 9797 0001

Cupcakes Night

Today is my friend's birthday. She prefers to have cupcakes instead of the normal birthday cake. I placed an order to her favourite cupcake shop so that we will get her choice of cakes! This year her cakes are limited to chocolate, so I have ordered, Rocky Road, Strawberry & Chocolate, Cookies & Cream, Dark Chocolate, Tiramisu and Chocolate Sundae.
The cupcake is only $2 each. However, it also comes in a smaller version than the others. Basically, it is a bite size. These cupcakes are a lot nicer than the previous one that I tried which tastes like plastic and fake. These cakes are moist and full of chocolate taste. Next time I know I will only pick the chocolate range! :D


Cupcakes on Pitt
Sydney CBD: Shop 2, 323-327 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW and 61 York Street, Sydney NSW
Other stores are at Parramatta and Chatswood

From :( to :)

Today I have been really moody... nothing cheer me up... One of my friend reminded me to get chocolate or some sweets to bring up my spirit. And the idea to get cakes from La Renaissance came to my head!

At lunch time, I went out and got myself 1 cake, 1 tart and 2 macarons. By the time I finished my cake, I had a satisfying smile on my face. Thank you my friend. :)

Passion de Pierre

Later in the afternoon, I had my tart and my boss came and saw me eating "that little piece of delightful cake"!

Strawberry Flan

Argh... happy moments! :D

Le Renaissance Patisserie: 47 Argyle Street, The Rocks Sydney NSW. Opening hours: 8am - 6pm Seven days