Sydney has one of the most spectacular harbours in the world and one of the best ways we find to enjoy them is with a picnic. With the crazy weather around lately, it becomes hard to predict when will be a good day to have one or when will leave you soaking and running for tree cover. This particular Sunday, after having a quick bite for lunch, we saw the grey skies parting to reveal a glorious sunny day. With a boat regatta that my husband wanted to see from Bradley’s Head in mind, we stopped by The Bather’s Kiosk, the take away kiosk which is part of the huge Bather’s Pavilion building and purchased some sweets to enjoy while watching the boats go by.
Its hard choosing, the savoury filled baguettes look good ($8.50) and the heated tray with quiches and pies smell enticing but I’ve had lunch already so I am deciding on a sweet. I’ve had the chocolate mousse ($3.50) before and knew that I had to repeat the experience so that is popped into my collection. I spy some small blueberry cakes, like friands, with 4 for $1 so that’s an obvious choice. Rounding off my purchases, I go to the ice chest and select some Blood Orange Gelato ($3.50) from their many flavours available. I love Blood Orange when its sweet and I know that it will be gorgeous here. There’s also all sorts of chips, pretzels, croissants, coffee, salads and pastries as well as lollies and sherbert pops and a cherry clafoutis that I am eyeing but reluctantly put back. There’s also beach towels and sunscreen and newspapers. A kid’s and adult’s beachside dream really.
Blood Orange Gelato $3.50
Driving up to Bradley’s Head, we lay out the picnic blanket and try our bounty. The blood orange gelato is first, as its melting and one wooden spoon in and I know I’ve made the right choice. Perfectly sweet, not overpoweringly so, the true blood orange flavouring comes through in this fine textured gelato. This is nothing short of superbly refreshing and quenching. If I were on the beach, there is no question that I would’ve bought another.
Small blueberry cakes, 4 for $1
The little blueberry cakes are next. I assume these are what the restaurant use as their petit fours. They’re lovely and eggy, rich and flecked with hazelnut meal. Some of the tiny cakes have 2 blueberries, some 1, with some exploded. Nevertheless, they still taste fabulous.
Last but not least is the richer than rich chocolate mousse. I’d had this a year earlier and surprisingly, the price hasn’t changed which is a pleasant surprise. What has changed is the chocolate balls on top, which used to be crispy and crunchy malted chocolate balls, like teeny tiny maltesers. Now they are soggy and relatively flavourless. Bring back the original balls! The mousse however remains the same. Gorgeously, richly and decadently chocolatey which a moist mud-ish centre. Its the kind of dessert that you loathe to share but almost have to because of its richness.
Chocolate Mousse $3.50
I know I’ll have to come back, just in the name of research and all…
The Bather’s Kiosk
2b The Esplanade
Balmoral 2088 NSW
Phone: +61 (02) 9968 4961
Open: 7am-6pm 7 days
Cards accepted
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9 Comments | Add your own
wow, the petit fours are a good buy. i’m disappointed to hear that the crunchy malteser-like topping on the chocolate mousse isn’t as good as it was (it really made the dish last time).
I am not sure which makes me more jealous- seeing these delicious snacks you can get at the beach or the fact tht you are at the beach! Here in the States, we are lucky to get some french fries at the beach!
Hi blythe-I remember the chocolate balls on top as being crunchy. These ones weren’t at all
Hi Deborah-Oh wow,I would’ve thought that you guys would have all manner or things to enjoy by the beach! I have this image of the US as being the land of choice and plenty (well from the one visit I had anyway)
I did a double-take when I read “4 for $1″! ?? What can you get these days ..4 for ONE dollar?! Great purchase.. I really enjoy blueberries. And they had hazelnut meal too? The chocolate mousse looks almost identical to a local gourmet mousse.. same size and everything.. except our local mousse is like $8 or something! I checked the Weight Watchers points total on that mousse (I’m losing weight and my daily allowance is 23 points).. The mousse was like 18 points for half a tub!
I have only ever made mousse once in my life..and I put so much love and care and labour into it.. and it made such a small amount. The crowd I catered for (a housewarming) had a tonne of kids..so the mousse went in the blink of an eye.. I almost mourned its lightening quick passing.. I felt like it was almost wasted on the children..haha!!
I once made blood orange jam.. or was it marmalade?
I’m glad your sweets pleased!.. But sorry the balls were different to the last time you had them
Cheers.. hope you had a good weekend?
Hi Maria-Yep its $1 for 4 of them-mind you they are rather small petit four sized cakes but it’s still a pretty good buy especially for Bather’s Pavillion. Wow, who knew that Bather’s was cheaper than other places? Shhh let’s not tell them and they won’t raise the prices
I’ve made a frozen chocolate mousse and it was gorgeous but very, very, very rich. I should make it again-it’s very easy and makes a sizeable portion. I know what you mean, kids just seem to like brightly coloured thing-something as delicate as a mousse might be wasted on them!
Blood Orange jam would be sublime-mmmmm.
I had a great one-but the perils of having a 4 day weekend the week before meant that my brain thought that I had another 2 days off coming! Hope yours was good too!?
i love the name of the shop…just brilliant! and also share others jealousy at 1. you being at the beach and 2. the range of fabulous goodies you can get. how delightful!
Hi airy fairy-Hehe I won’t mention that it’s just down the road from me should I?
Sadly no blueberry cakes when I went, but loved seeing Balmoral. Gorgeous neighborhood.
Hi Brittany-Ahh bummer
I think they’re the petit fours that they have for the day. Was there anything else good in it’s place?
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