I have fond memories of the Inter Continental Hotel. However they’re now fuzzy and blurred given that they were so may years ago. During High School my friends and I hung out at the Inter Continental’s Top Floor bar where we would gather on Saturday nights, order mocktails and take advantage of the spectacular view of the Opera House. What was always important was that the nibbly bowl, filled with Japanese rice crackers or nuts would be replenished regularly, without us asking. Once it was a bowl of mixed nuts and after we picked out all the good ones and left the peanuts behind, they’d refill it again. That was great service to us High School kids.
It’s been a while since I’ve been to the hotel, certainly I’ve been since High School but tonight, we’re partaking of their Sugar Hit, part of the SMH’s Good Food Month. We always prefer the platters as that allows for maximum tasting pleasure so the Inter Continental’s was a no brainer. It is a tasting platter of Grand Marnier-Strawberry Infused Panna Cotta; Chestnut Timbale, V.S.O.P cognac cream & White Chocolate-Raspberry Torte with a glass of Brown Brothers Dessert Wine.
We’re seated at the Lobby’s Cortile Bar, a winding-round multi two leveled space. It’s early in the night for Teena, Gina and I at 8pm as we’d had an early dinner at Bodega. Still, the Cortile Bar is quite full. We place our orders and we are given a choice of either Cognac or Brown Brothers Dessert Wine. I adore the BB dessert wine so I order this. Our plates and glasses come out shortly.
Tasting platter of (left to right) V.S.O.P cognac cream & White Chocolate-Raspberry Torte; Grand Marnier-Strawberry Infused Panna Cotta; Chestnut Timbale, $20
V.S.O.P cognac cream & White Chocolate-Raspberry Torte
I tackle the one that appeals to me most visually, the V.S.O.P cognac cream & White Chocolate-Raspberry Torte. Whilst it looks great it tastes unexciting and I can’t help but feel that it might be one of those cakes that is served at a buffet in the same size. It’s multi layered sponge soaked in cognac with some white chocolate shards and a tiny bit of raspberry. The bottom layer of sponge is messy and made up of small pieces of sponge arranged together, perhaps it’s an end piece.
Grand Marnier-Strawberry Infused Panna Cotta
I next try the one that Gina finds too strongly alcoholic, the Grand Marnier-Strawberry Infused Panna Cotta. The top is a strawberry coulis which is delicious and the Panna Cotta is creamy and good although I don’t find the Grand Marnier too strong, just quite nicely done although the square frosted receptacle is too small for the spoon and a bit of fork action is needed (although the fork against frosted glass is like nails on a chalkboard to me, it’s a small point I admit but I’m just saying…).
Chestnut Timbale
The Chestnut Timbale is the one I saved for last as I love chestnut and this delicate mousse is certainly delicately flavoured with chestnut. The thick chocolate sauce accompanying it is a little grainy, perhaps flavoured with chestnut puree.
And of course the Brown Brothers Dessert wine, the one that I often bring as a hostess gift, is gorgeous sweet and delicate.
With nothing else to do but girl gossip, we order coffees and hot chocolates and while the evening away with the upstairs Wedding’s mix of music occasionally heard in the background (Gina is not impressed, Teena and I reminisce). And before we know it, the clock is striking midnight!
The InterContinental
The Sugar Hit is served at The InterContinental Cortile Lounge; Cafe Opera and Club Bar
Corner Bridge and Phillip Streets, Sydney
Tel: +61 (02) 9240 1396
Available every evening during the month of October
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16 Comments | Add your own
I used to go to the pasta bar there quite often, great value food.
I wonder if they still have it?
Gorgeous pictures! I went to the Intercontinental the other night for sugar hit – my friend has the same gripe about forks against frosted glass
I thought it was better than the Swissotel sugar hit (where the waitress gave us the bill before we got our desserts!) Heading to Shangri La on Monday 
I am loving the idea of this Sugar Hits event! We definitely need that over here
It was a very pretty platter indeed, but how disappointing that they weren’t all as spectacular in taste as looks. I’m glad, though, that the chestnut timbale was delicious—it caught my eye straight away!
Hi Cappucino-Good question! I confess that I have no idea if it’s still there. I went to that pasta bar once, it was quite good from memory!
Hi flapflap-Hehe I’m glad to know we weren’t the only ones
Oh dear, giving a bill before dessert is a terrible faux pas! I’m supposed to go to the Shangrila in a few weeks, I’d love to know what you think of it!
Hi Angela-Definitely, I wish they did it all the time. Oddly enough, it’s usually booked out so I don’t know why it’s not permanent!
Yes thankfully the chestnut timbale was good and I love the patterns on the side
wow these look so delicious.
I gonna go try at the Four season hotel tonight and will let u know how is it
Hi snooky doodle-They are, in fact they’re my favourite part of Good Food Month!
Hi Bean Sprout-Excellent! I can’t wait to hear about it!
i’ll be honest–i’d have a lot of trouble sharing those yummy-yums. a lot of trouble.
i did find the dish of the Grand Marnier-Strawberry Infused Panna Cotta very hard to get the spoon in to eat it, quite an oversight of there’s. i don’t think they even have tried eating it themselves or they would have figured this out. love the photos, great idea to photograph the desserts separately as well. i’ll have to remember this.
looking forward to reading more of your Good Food Month conquests.
Simon
Hi grace-Luckily I didn’t have to share them at all, we got one to ourselves
Hi Simon-Yes I agree that they probably didn’t try it because the spoon is way too big. Perhaps if they gave one of those cute little spoons like a demitasse spoon that would have been better. Thanks so much!
I went there…Four seasons…It was good ! and this week we plan to go to King cross hotel and just found out that u went there…hehe
Hi Bean Sprout-The Kings Cross hotel Sugar Hit wasn’t too bad at all I have to say. The location and decor isn’t much but the dessert itself was good. Good to hear you like the Four Seasons one!
The Shangri La sugar hit is a must for anyone into strawberries
Although you’ll be saddened to know that it also features spoons against glass (in its vanilla icecream) 
Not as bad as a fork?
Hi flapflap-Oooh we’re supposed to go there and I do love strawberries. Arrrgh the frosted glass and spoon problem! Although I am glad to hear there is vanilla ice cream to have with the strawberries
Sounds like a lovely evening Lorraine
I can’t help but think of candles when I look at the panacotta dish (like a votive candle holder)..and also the entire glass platter the desserts are presented on (like a pillar candle holder).
I think I would have liked the chestnut timbale!
Hi Maria-That’s very true, I actually made some Jasmine candles in a slightly bigger version of these square pots. It’s very “dusk” the candle store isn’t it
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