Who me? I’m innocent…

One of the things I miss most about living in Mosman is the birdlife. Living near Balmoral Beach on the top floor of an apartment block meant that we had kookaburras, cockatoos and rainbow lorikeets visit our balcony on an almost daily basis. None of these birds however stole a sandwich from me. Until now of course. And a confession? I liked it!

Queen Viv and I are Afternoon tea lovers from way back and we’re headed to Gunner’s Barracks to take part in their afternoon tea and new Winter menu. We’re late as of course anything involving Queen Viv and I always involves an element of tardiness. Constructed in 1873, the sandstone building was originally a place for the military. Since October 2005 it has been serving afternoon tea to lucky locals and visitors. We take in the sweeping views of the Harbour and realise instantly why it is always so booked out by wedding parties. We’re shown to our table outside with little heaters positioned strategically to take the almost Winter chill off.

Spiced quail and chestnut soup, spinach, baby coriander $19

We take a look at the regular menu. Today we’re sharing a combination of a High Tea and a three course meal which of course we’re happy to share. We start with a dish that just surrenders to Winter. The Quail and Chestnut soup has two plump pieces of quail in the centre atop a creamy chestnut soup with a distinct curry taste to it via coriander seeds. There’s some sauteed spinach sitting under the quail. The dish is warming both by virtue that it’s a hot soup and also via the curry flavour.

Roast rump of lamb, shepherds pie, carrot, parsnip, garlic and thyme jus $29

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I always think of male chocolatiers as a little bit Willy Wonka and female chocolatiers as a little bit Vianne (played by Juliette Binoche) in the film Chocolat. Female chocolatiers would have a softer, deft touch with the customers and sense intuitively what their needs and wants are as soon as they walk in the door. Profiling via chocolate if you will.

We were hot and a touch cranky when we were walking through Kirribilli. It was an unseasonably warm day and I had dressed all wrong.  The car was parked a bit further away than we wanted as it was Kirribilli Market Day. I had my parents with me and I wanted my mum to choose a gift for her birthday from Coco Chocolate, a newish chocolate shop that had only opened up a few months ago. I had also forgotten to write down the address for it so I was cranky at myself more than anything. Then out of nowhere, there was a pretty sandwich board on the main street of Kirribilli and it pointed us in the right direction. I went from lost-at-sea-with-parents to a purposeful guide within seconds. I looked up and what had to be one of the prettiest, girliest shopfronts greeted me in a little side street of Kirrbilli.

Tattoo Collection

I opened the door and was greeted with cold air conditioning which was most welcome on this hot day and the whole store was just what I needed. It’s a tiny shop absolutely, not enough room to swing a cat really and come Easter I’m quite positive that the store will be knee deep in North Shore socialites buying sweet things for their families and friends. There is a steady stream of customers and the owner Rebecca greets us and lets us know that if we want anything to let her know. Phew, no hard selling. Originally a shop in Edinburgh Scotland, Coco Chocolates is also stocked in London at Harvey Nichols and Selfridges. We learn that whilst she is Australian, Rebecca moved overseas to Europe to learn the art of chocolatiering and opened up shop in Edinburgh but the urge to return to Australia was too strong.

Artist’s Collection: Paint Splattered Sugar Coated Dark Chocolate $20

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Over the past few years my friends have been sprouting up little’uns faster than I can count. And as a consequence of this, I’m asked if I can recommend any places that are kid friendly but also adult friendly. Many places are of course mutually exclusive. the fancier it looks, the less welcoming they are to enfants and normally stylish mums can find themselves sacrificing good cuisine and avoiding scowls from fellow diners and waiters. There was one place that was said to be kid friendly yet with good food too: Giovanni Pilu’s new restaurant in Terrey Hills called Cavallino. And Liss from Frills in the Hills was just the gal to go there with along with her three little girls, Eloise (7), and 5 year old twins Laura and Olivia. They would be the test of kid friendly chic.

On the former site of Il Piemonte, it’s all very swish outside, with stone work and wooden detailing and a horse emblem of course as Cavallino means Little Horse (a synergy with owner Pilu’s own Ferrari perhaps?). The greeting is very friendly and to the left there is the bar and lounge with more horse themed decorations.

Cheese fridge

To the right is the large 180 seater dining room which sits in front of the large pizza oven where four pizza makers are constantly throwing dough, sprinkling toppings and placing pizzas inside and taking them out of the large oven. There is a pizza with French fries on it but we think better of it and order more “regular” fare. There’s an all Italian wine list and whilst there are mains which include meat, the big menu is the pizza menu with seventeen varieties of pizza.

The Produce Trolley

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