Sugar Hit #5 2009 – Sydney InterContinental Hotel
Just when you were told that our coverage for the Sydney International Food Festival 2009 was graciously concluded with none other than the famed panna cotta at Jonah’s Palm Balm blog entry, I could not help but to sneak this final entry in; and yes, it is another Sugar Hit. As we enter the swinging doors of the Intercontinental Hotel, we spot etch and I remind my partner that we still have to try it. As we approach the elevated lounge area we can see other patrons with their dessert plates, what catches my eye first is the illuminated water feature in the centre of the room, which reminds me of the water feature outside of lumiere in the city, though this one doesn’t change into a vivid range of colours.
Front to back: Gold Leafed White Chocolate Dome, Dark Chocolate Chilli Slice and Chocolate Hazelnut Macaroon with Chocolate Ganache with Nashi Pear Chutney and Vanilla-Honey Syrup
The White Chocolate Dome is soft and fluffy; the flavour is subtle and light with a hint of white chocolate aftertaste that swirls in the mouth after each helping.
Next, I do my best at slicing rapidly on the plate to gather the Vanilla-Honey syrup, by itself it is sweet and the vanilla is smooth. However, when matched with the other pieces on the plate, I find that I like it with the Nashi Pear Chutney as the syrup brings out the sweetness of the pear. I found that this was the part of the dessert plate that I enjoyed the most, however, the fact that it had nothing to do with chocolate was a bit disappointing as this dish was said to be an awed to chocolate.
The Chocolate Hazelnut Macaroon is swiftly lifted from the Ganache and eaten in one movement. I found that it wasn’t anything out of the ordinary, but I enjoyed the nutty texture and it satisfied my fondness for Hazelnut.
The three chocolate drops and brittle chocolate stick is next, they too are nothing special in my opinion. Though it did well in simplicity and added an interactive element to the plate – picking up and eating a component.
Finally, the Dark Chocolate Chilli Slice, the chilli doesn’t really kick in until I’m half way through the portion. The ‘kick’ is more like a poke and is tolerable. Perhaps I was expecting a throat-burning sensation or a surprising dosage of chilli hit, which lead to my slight setback in this final piece of the dish.
The InterContinental Cortile Lounge
Cnr Bridge and Phillip Streets, Sydney, NSW 2000
Tel: +61 (02) 92401396
NB: Sugar Hits have concluded for this year.
Sugar Hits that blogged did during the SIFF 2009
Sugar Hit #4 2009 – Jonah’s Whale Beach
Sugar Hit #3 2009 – Sheraton on the Park
Sugar Hit #2 – glass brasserie, Hilton Sydney.
Sugar Hit #1 2009 – Azuma Kushiyaki
posted by D
November 13th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Wow, the chocolate plate looks so good, especially the dome! And I don’t think anyone would mind you sneaking in more reviews like this one, especially when it’s all desserts!
November 13th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Ooh you have to try Etch, I love it there! I liked this Sugar Hit too
November 13th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
You sneaky devil you. I like the look of that dome mmm wish I coulda tried
November 14th, 2009 at 11:53 am
aww looks like we missed out by not going to this one!
November 18th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Hi joey – desserts make the world go round!
Hi Lorraine – I’m in the process of heading to etch before the end of this year *hopefully*
Hi FFichiban – I wish I went to Jonah’s too ><
Hi Pupu – I missed out by not going to Jonah’s T.T