After my Easter visit to Colefax where I was told that a Chocolate and Coffee Lounge was forthcoming, I’d always meant to come back to see it, after they’d had a chance to settle in. A trip overseas and work always intervened and it came to September before I could come back and check out their shop and newly appointed Chocolate shop and Coffee lounge.
Entering we see that the whole shop has changed and it has opened up completely. The crowds of chocolate connoisseurs are still there buying their tablettes of single origin chocolates, truffles and novelty shaped lips and golf balls, but there are also those that are sitting down to a cup of coffee and hot chocolate, made with their famous Belgian couverture chocolate. Reg, the affable gentleman who had previously showed me such courtesy is behind the counter and shows me the new range and packaging.
Heavenly truffles $9 per 100grams
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September 22, 2008
by Not Quite Nigella
Yes I admit I have a minor unhealthy obsession with afternoon tea or morning teas. I love dainty little servings and a good cup of tea so I am sucker for anything vaguely constituting afternoon tea. The good thing about the Sheraton’s afternoon tea offering is that you can get a traditional afternoon tea with scones, finger sandwiches and tarts or you can go for the contemporary afternoon tea which comprises of delicious tidbits like Lobster slaw martini, swimmer crab omelette, Banana cheesecake, white chocolate brownie and the drool inducing list goes on.
We always order the contemporary afternoon tea. Whilst the traditional afternoon tea looks lovely, I cannot pass up the Lobster Slaw Martini or the Gallery Banana cheesecake. We know the menu so well ordering is easy. For $79 you can order any of the 12 dishes and 2 unlimited drinks are included (your choice of Twinings leaf tea, Vittoria espresso or Max Brenner Hot Drinking Chocolate). For $129 you get a choice of any of the 12 dishes but with two glasses of Moet & Chandon Imperial N.V. Additional dishes are available for $7 each.
We order the King Island Double brie with apple and Duchy of Cornwell Oat Cake; Lobster Slaw Martini, Tasmanian Smoked Salmon and lemon mascarpone crostini; Hoisin Duck Money Bag; Blue Swimmer crab and asparagus omelette; Gallery Tiger prawn Caesar; Pear and smoked chicken with verjuice and hazelnuts; Rice pudding and apple jelly; White Chocolate Brownie; Pannacotta with mandarin compote and, because they’re my absolute favourite and the idea of sharing one alarms me, 2 of the gallery Banana cheesecakes. Blythe’s favourite part of the afternoon tea is the endless top ups of Max Brenner White Hot Chocolate-usually $5.50 a cup, she can drink cup after cup of the rich milky liquid chocolate concoction so it feels like she is getting much more than her money’s worth. I order my usual standby, a pot of Earl Grey and settle back into the club chair and relax.
Clockwise from left: Pear and smoked chicken with verjuice and hazelnuts; Tasmanian Smoked Salmon and lemon mascarpone crostini; Lobster Slaw Martini & Blue Swimmer crab and asparagus omelette
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January 13, 2008
by Not Quite Nigella
I’d like 8 of these chairs please…
There are times that only a little civility will do. Bush walking is fine and dandy (and quite frankly something that I actively avoid). BBQ’s are a much loved family get together. But sometimes a girl needs a little morning tea in a 5 star hotel. We’d popped into the Hydro Majestic on the way back from a shopping trip only to be told that as it was the Christmas period, their lounge was only open from 12-1pm (hardly long enough for a relaxing tea) so we ventured a little closer to where we were staying to Lilianfels.
The grounds are lovely, looking out towards Echo Point and their lounge has an elegant chic femininity to it. It’s only 11am but they’re flexible with their start times (afternoon tea is supposed to start at 12noon) but it’s not a problem. Nothing is a problem here and for the harassed or the ones in need of some TLC, its the perfect place.
There’s a selection of snacks, light meals and sweets but we order from the afternoon tea menu. For the 5 of us, we order the Lilianfels High tea for 2 with 2 pots of earl grey $66, a lamington tea for one with coffee $17 and a trio of Chocolate tea for one with coffee $21 and an extra Hot Chocolate $5.50. We ask if there are any newspapers or magazines to read and they’re ceremoniously brought to us. We can’t help but be impressed by the polite, deferential service.
While we wait for our tea, we venture outside to the manicured lawn area which also has tables and chairs. It’s lovely and a touch of gentility and overlooks Jamison Valley but as I am not particularly tall, I can’t see over the shrubbery.
Our drinks arrive first, Tuuliki is impressed by the pot of decaf that she gets, she only expects a cup but is pleased that she has a whole pot of coffee which gives her several cups full, and that soy milk is available. Rose enjoys her hot chocolate but concedes that the Paragon hot chocolate is better. Blythe enjoys her coffee and Anneli and I enjoy the silver service Earl Grey tea.
Foreground: Trio of Chocolate tea for one with coffee $21. Background: a lamington tea for one with coffee $17
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January 3, 2008
by Not Quite Nigella
The Paragon is a favourite cafe of mine and despite the fact that it is utterly touristy (and I suppose I am technically a tourist), I love this Art Deco cafe restaurant. The food isn’t quite as memorable as the gorgeous decor but its decent for the most part and one of the few places on Katoomba’s main street that I always must visit (I’m firmly a Leura girl). The cafe has been classified by the National Trust as being essential to Australia’s Heritage so its a real treat dining here and always draws in tourists.
Service is very friendly and as its afternoon, we decide on sharing some afternoon tea type items. We order the Devonshire Tea with Irish Breakfast tea ($12), Waffles with caramel sauce ($15 full serve, two whole waffles), Belgian hot chocolate with marshmallows ($6) and a large Mugacino coffee ($6). While the waffles cook and the delicious aroma permeates the entire cafe, I go out to the back room to check out their assorted Art deco memorabilia.
Belgian Hot Chocolate with marshmallows $6
Soon after our drinks arrive. Rose is particularly impressed with the Belgian Hot Chocolate and marshmallows, she declares it the best that she’s had.
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January 1, 2008
by Not Quite Nigella
“Its all very Emily Howard” says friend Teena when we sit down and look around at the room. Indeed it is quite, and though not quite as Victorian as Emily, it is undeniably girly. The room features flocked wallpaper, ornately tiled ceiling, Art Deco style chandeliers, maroon velvet chairs and Royal Albert china. In fact, looking around, there’s nary a male specimen to be seen bar for a very occasional young boy dragged along to this haven of girlishness by his parents. It seems only fitting as we’re here to celebrate Teena’s upcoming birthday with friend Gina and a girls only afternoon tea.
There are a few choices for Afternoon tea: regular $33, sparkling $38.50 or champagne $55. Bizarrely, their menu does not include GST as we learn when we receive the bill later and it must be the only establishment in Sydney not to do so. I partake of the regular and Teena and Gina partake of the sparkling. There’s a large selection of teas as well as a connoisseur’s selection (surcharge $2.20). My tea arrives along with the flutes of sparkling wine and soon after the three tiered cake stand for three persons arrives.
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December 5, 2007
by Not Quite Nigella
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