Sepia – Sydney CBD, Sydney (Valentines & CNY 2010)
It has been wayyyy too long since my last post so it feels great to be getting back into it! What better way to kick it off again than with a special occasion at one of my best dining experiences in a long time…
Sepia in sepia… had to be done 
Happy Chinese New Year to all ^^! Gong Xi Fa Cai! But not only that, Happy Valentines day to you all too ^^! Whether you be enjoying this joyous event with your family or with your special loved one, I hope you are all celebrating it the universal way of good food! As for Pupu and I, we sneaked in the V-day feasting earlier as so we can spend some family time as well as avoid the madness of the dining out scene on such an event.
Me like rainy sign
Sepia is one of those places that has been on top of my wish-list for a long time but there has been no occasion worthy of it until now. I was very excited because as you guys all know from here and here there are some pretty famous chefs working there and of course Lemonpi ^^! Her beautiful enticing pastries and desserts always leave me drooling at my screen and now I finally get to try them!
Sneaking a peek into the kitchen
Even before I stepped into the restaurant I was awe-inspired by the whole atmosphere and feel of the place. The dim lighting, wooden features and cushioned benches gave the place a real comfortable and cozy feel to it but still with high class and style. I absolutely adored the wall of mirrors near the back corner and the chill/lounge music suited the ambiance beautifully (hooray for Cafe del Mar). I have a feeling I got the same table as Billy hee hee. The service here was impeccable with friendly, helpful and very professional staff. I was very impressed at how attentive they were and how they really made the experience that much better.
When I was presented with the menu pretty much flipped straight to the desserts. I had a plan in my head already 
Although the degustation menu did look very enticing and seemed like great value for money we decided to go a la carte because of my plan.
Sourdough roll
The pre-dinner roll came just the way I love it, warmed with a crusty exterior and soft, fluffy interior. It is their attention to the small details, like the warmed bread, that really puts this place up there in my opinion. A smear of butter which melts accordingly and a light sprinkle of sea salt crystals prepares us for the amazing meal ahead.
Amuse Bouche – Ox tail consomme with prawns
The liquid inside the glass was not only rich in colour but also rich in taste. The ox tail gave the consomme a nice body of flavour and with the saltiness of soy sauce and slight tinge of sweetness, this amuse bouche was well balanced. The prawns were like two little treasures at the bottom of the pot.
Entree – Roasted Squab Salad, Pickled Beetroot, Beetroot and Strawberry Puree, Hazelnut Vinaigrette ($27)
The roasted squab salad was very well presented with an array of colours, aromas and textures to feast the eyes, nose and the mouth. The meat of the squab, which we found out was a bird with a medium gamy taste, was very tender and delicate. The gamy flavour was present but not overpowering and balanced beautifully with the sweet puree and other components of the dish. The leg of the squab ended up being the most tasty and fun to eat. It was a mini drumstick and bursting with flavour in each bite.
Entree – Yellow Fin Tuna Tartare, Avocado Cream, Soy and Wasabi Jelly ($26)
I was instantly drawn in by the tuna, avocado and wasabi combination especially since the wasabi was in jelly form! When the maitre’d brought this over and the word “otoro” was enunciated, my eyes must had widened with glee. The layers of this dish should be combined and eaten as a whole to achieve the maximum in flavour. The creamy avocado and even creamier otoro was beautiful and with only a slight hint of wasabi, this dish had me craving for a whole bathtub full so I could swim in its glory.
Entree – Queensland Spanner Crab and Buckwheat Risotto, Mustard Butter, Shellfish Essence ($27)
I was very intrigued at the concept of buckwheat risotto and we were fortunate to be given to chance to taste this (Thanks Y!). The fresh aroma of the ocean was the first thing that you notice about this dish apart from its bubbly foam layer. There were generous chunks of spanner crab in this dish as well as a nice pool of mustard butter in the middle which you mix into the risotto. The buckwheat risotto worked magically and it also gave the me the feeling of eating something very healthy and refreshing.
Pupu – Look at my mushroom forest ^^! It really is the attention to little details that make the best restaurants!
Main – Loin of Gippsland Lamb, Roasted Fillet and Crispy Belly, Mint, Miso and Cauliflower Florets ($43)
After the sensational entrees we were really excited when the mains arrived. Once again the foam created a visual impact on the presentation but so did the sliver of crispy crispy belly that was the deciding factor for my choosing this dish. Starting with the cauliflower floret I did not really get much of a miso flavour but the soft and creamy floret accompanied the lamb very well. The tender and succulent cuts of lamb were so very good. The lamb was incredibly juicy as they were cooked to a perfect medium rare and when matched with the crispy crunch of the belly, it was like an explosion of flavour.
Main – Grilled Wagyu Rump, Spinach Puree, Braised Baby King Brown Mushrooms, Yuzu and Tarragon Butter ($45)
Beautifully pink and luscious chunks of wagyu rump was presented before us and we knew straight away this was going to be good. The standing king brown mushrooms were not only aesthetically pleasing but the meatiness of the king brown matched the rump like a match made in heaven. The creamy spinach puree was also another highlight in this dish while the little roll of daikon provided a nice contrast in flavour and texture. I did find the meat ever-so-slightly underseasoned but with this kind of meat you don’t want to ruin it with too much salt.
Side – Creamed Corn with Lime Butter ($10)
Our waiter recommended this side of creamed corn and boy am I glad he did. Each kernel of corn burst out with juicy flavour and the lime butter just coated its goodness around each kernel.
The main reason why we didn’t go for degustation was because of my plan… which was to order one of each of the desserts hee hee ^^! And this we did, I was surprised the waiter didn’t have a bigger reaction but we ended up getting all of the desserts except the cheese platter. (To be honest I now regret not getting the cheese platter hahaha)
Pre-dessert – Vanilla pannacotta with a pickled plum puree
A refreshing mix of sweet and sour really puts you in the mood for dessert. The plum puree balanced well with the light and wobbly pannacotta and this made me set a very high level to expect from the desserts
Starting off with the lighter/fruiter ones…
Dessert – “Summer Pudding” Vanilla Sponge, Buttermilk Sherbet, Chilled Berry Soup ($19)
With the pouring summer rain outside we dived into the summer pudding which was a mind blasting sweet and sour combination. The mix of summer berries burst with each bite but the star of this dish was the vanilla sponge and berry soup combination. The sponge was like the lightest bread, I wish I could buy it in loaves at a bread shop while the soup ended up being drunk by the spoonful after all the berries and sherbet was gone.
Dessert – White Peach, Lemon Curd, Green Tea, Yoghurt and Peach Sorbet ($18)
Keeping with the summer and fruity theme was this medley of peaches, lemon curd, sorbets and a green tea soil. The peaches were the main star of this dessert as they were fizzy! Each bite of peach caused a lively fizzy sensation upon the tongue which made us both grin. The lemon curd was refreshingly sour and matched beautifully with the peaches and the sorbets. The green tea did not have much flavour but gave a nice texture to the mix.
Dessert – Mango, Vanilla and Macadamia “Weiss” Pineapple, Lemon Sherbet, Nasturtium Flowers ($19)
This truly was a Weiss bar in fancy dessert form. The frozen pineapple and lemon sherbet was the highlights of this dish. The smooth mango, vanilla and macadamia combination along with the pretty foam was yet another refreshingly taste. The line of sherbet did look a little suss but the fizzy flavour made me want to snort it.
Now onto the chocolate mmmmmmmm
Dessert – White Chocolate Sponge, Toasted Buckwheat Ice Cream, Strawberry Jelly, Passionfruit Custard ($18)
This dessert seemed so delicate when it first arrived but came with a powerful punch of flavour with each bite. Once again the buckwheat made for a very pleasant surprise and for me the ice cream was the star of the show. The white chocolate sponge had a very light chocolate taste while the strawberry jelly and passionfruit custard were the main players in this dessert with another sweet and sour combination. The strings of toasted buckwheat were also very fun to eat while dipping in the ice cream.
Dessert – Elements of Chocolate, Prune, Cocoa Bubbles ($20)
THIS is it. The one that I had drooled most over, the ultimate in chocolate experiences. Each layer was like a whole new experience from a creamy, gooey layer to flaky, crisp to spongey, soft and finally to airy, bubbly this dessert had it all. The bottom soft sponge layer also had the prune flavour (we thought it was dark cherries) but a sweetness to this dessert which is normally a rich and dark chocolate. The cocoa bubbles were very entertaining as they popped and the crack of the chocolate was music to my ears. I have to say if you only get one dessert at Sepia (yeah right ) you HAVE to try this one. From the first bite I had the biggest grin which I could not get rid of until all of this was gone.
Dessert – Chocolate ganache, caramelized peanuts, beer ice cream and “Aero” bar
Another gorgeous dessert which I just absolutely adored. The combination of caramelized salty peanuts and the soft chocolate mousse and a scoop of beer ice cream was too much to hold in. I was very surprised how strong the beer ice cream was without that alcoholic aftertaste so it was just light and sweet flavour. I think I have a weakness for chocolate and desserts and this palce is one of the best places to satiate those cravings.
Petit Fours – Hazelnut financiers and passionfruit marshmallows
The marshmallows were pleasantly passionfruity and so soft and tasty that I think they were (dare I say it) better than SWEETNESS marshmallows. While the financiers were like mini donuts with a smooth hazelnutty flavour and crunchy cinnamon coating.
Sepia has been the best dining experience for me in a long time now and I crave to go again and again. Everything from the amazing service, atmosphere to the mind blasting desserts worked together to create such an experience. Considering we were both comfortable full and for a reasonable price for what we got I would definitely be coming back for more XD!
Happy Chinese New Year and V-day again guys and hope everyone has a good year of eating to come ^^!
Sepia Restaurant and Wine Bar
Darling Park
201 Sussex St
Sydney, 2000
Ph: (02) 9283 1990
Head Chef: Martin Benn
FFichiban
February 14th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
Looks like both of us flick straight to dessert menu
Perhaps from now on we should just order all the desserts at all the restaurants we go too? haha…
welcome back to food blogginz Richard!
February 14th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Fantastic post! Sepia is great, and pretty soon it’ll probably get its second hat. The desserts are mind-blasting all right, and rightly so. Great photos too despite the dim ambience.
February 14th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
haha! I like how they managed to turn peanuts, beer and chocolate bar into something so gorgeously fancy
February 14th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
awesome pics oh man i would love to eat just desserts haha happy cny dude!
February 14th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
sounds and looks great. i somehow wished i’d picked Sepia instead of Universal. blog to come soon
February 14th, 2010 at 7:39 pm
Haha, all the desserts bar the cheese platter between two is definitely something to be admired! Happy New Year =)
February 14th, 2010 at 11:18 pm
<3 Happy v-day
It was a bit of a shame that after all the grinning and giggling at asking the waiter for one of every dessert on the menu (minus the cheese…), he didn't seem to be particularly surprised!
This place has shot right to the top of my "restaurants I can't wait to go to again!" list- good choice
February 15th, 2010 at 8:04 am
lol – so much for not eating that much anymore. liar! happy new year mate
February 15th, 2010 at 8:30 am
Yay!! Welcome back
Haha you were a sucker for the sepia photo in a Sepia review too! I was very impressed when I went here too, everything you had looks amazing! Happy New Year!
February 15th, 2010 at 9:47 am
Oh my gosh, the meal looks fantastic! Your cunning plan certainly worked a treat. However, I recently had the degustation at Etch but supplemented it with an additional lolly tray… Love your pics, especially of the choc bubbles.
February 15th, 2010 at 9:57 am
lol, good thinking, instead of going for degust, order small meal and ALL the desserts! hahahaha…. funny how we both sat at the same table, I knew I had to sit there and keep it warm for you. Ain’t I thoughtful?
February 15th, 2010 at 10:46 pm
Wow wow wow – absolutely brilliant desserts!!! How did you manage to eat them all in one sitting? I know I would have loved to eat them all, but may have needed to take some home
February 16th, 2010 at 12:48 am
Mmmm… Y sure does make great desserts doesn’t she? Sepia is also on top of my list to go to as well! The Weiss bar and chocolate bubbles look orgasmic!
February 16th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Oh Man! You just made me want to go back and have everyone of those desserts!
February 16th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
lol – one of each dessert. That’s so sweet…
February 16th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
Happy CNY to you! You made me laugh, thinking about the two of you giggling over the ordering of all the desserts. Glad you guys had a great meal!
February 16th, 2010 at 9:19 pm
D – Haha more like order everything on the menu!!! Im hungry…
!
Joey@FoodiePop – Thx ^^! Yup I believe so too and thxx although I still can’t compare to the others and thier big guns haha
Grace – It was sooo goodd mmmmmm must get more beer ice cream
Chocolatesuze – Haha I am definitely going back just for desserts!
Simon Food Favourites – Thx mate!
Mademoiselle Délicieuse – Hmm should’ve gone them all hahah
Pupu – Hee hee he was too profesional. Must try another waiter next time
Timmeh – Haha I’m srs
Steph – Haha I know… but so were you!
Belle@OohLook – Hee hee it was a fantastical meal! Thhx ^^! Oohh hooray for lolly tray
Billy@ATFT – Haha thx bro, glad to know you got my back
Anita – Hee hee believe me.. once we started we could not stop ^^!
Phuoc – Yeah she is like a magician!! Mmm HAVE TOI get the elements of chocolate
Reemski – Doo iittttt ^^! You won’t regret it haha
Tina – Hee hee I see what you did there
Y – Hee hee THHXX your desserts are soooo awesommee ^^! Yeah we were giggling like lil schoolgirls hee hee!
February 17th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
I loved my meal here at Sepia too!
February 17th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
Yummm everything looks so good! And great idea ordering all the desserts hehe the cocoa bubbles look awesome!
February 18th, 2010 at 2:42 pm
eh, there’s only two of you right? and you all tried so much desserts? what’s the total damage for the whole meal? haha happy cny!