Little Bistro, Hotel CBD Pop-up, CBD Sydney (24 April 2018)

52 King St, Sydney NSW 2000
https://merivale.com.au/venues/littlebistro

Refined flavours in Little Bistro

Little Bistro pop-up takes up position at the former Bistrode CBD site where the much loved but not forgotten Jeremy Bistrode brought joy to his dishes. British chef Alastair Little is at the helm and so far I'm impressed with the professional and down-to-earth service, decor and dishes that delivered on taste and technique. Vodka Martini ($14 / $17.50 on bill corrected back to menu price) is served at the table from a mini carafe filled with Absolut Elyx, Noilly Prat, Lemon Zest and '4:1 ratio' which I'm not quite sure what that meant. The tiny martini glass is also well-suited for a tea party but filled with lovely flavour and topped with a massive juicy green olive as my preference over the twist. Keep them coming I say. Clair de Lune oysters, spicy sausages, mignonette ($5 each) are from Moonlight Flat Oysters and come with a housemade spicy sausage which is a first for me but won't be the last I hope. Oysters seem shucked to order as well which is always my preference for some flavoursome brine.

Seafood life is good in the Bourride of market fish, mussels, squid, prawns, fennel, rouille, croutons ($35). Nicely cooked seafood, plump mussels and a tasty punchy rouille makes for a happy tummy. Some softer sourdough would help also to soak up the leftover broth. The Apple Tart Fine, Chantilly cream ($14) apparently is one of Little's signature desserts using his apple tart recipe since about 1983. Nice thin caramelised pastry topped with wafer thin slices of apple. A joy with the Chantilly cream. I'm suspecting the only thing that could make it better is if you were lucky enough to have it served just out of the oven and not at room temperature. I think a bigger hit of vanilla from some vanilla bean paste in the Chantilly would be most welcomed. Looking like a good addition to the CBD dining scene and well-suited for the business lunch crowd that keep in mind the online booking confirmation Dress Code of Smart Casual.

Arts Centre Cafe, Campbelltown (9 Feb 2018)

1 Art Gallery Rd, Campbelltown NSW 2560
http://artscentrecafe.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/artscentrecafe/

Cafe with a side of art

Loving the Japanese garden that's part of this cafe. Great place to bring the family and enjoy a spot of art inside the air conditioned gallery space on a hot day. Afternoon pick me up of Apple Flan ($6.50) and a Soy Chai Latte ($4.20) are nice. Friendly service and coffee uses beans from The Coffee Roaster.

Flour and Stone: Bakery, Woolloomooloo (15 Nov 2011, 11 Jan 2012)

53 Riley Street, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011
http://flourandstone.com.au

Freshly baked sugar stop

Sweet Infinity is now only located in the Strand Arcade and Flour and Stone opened this week taking over their Riley Street site with an equally impressive display of tempting delights that I'm sure will keep you coming back. The focus is more on the sweet than the savoury and the daily specials menu will guide you on what cakes are available. Nadine from Cookie Courture is the owner and hence why you'll see her cookies and other products on the shelves.

The Fine apple tart ($5 slice) was very good and filled with plenty of thinly sliced apple as hoped. There's a bit of nice caramelisation throughout with a few sugary highlights on the palate and if it came with a dollop of double whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream it would have been even more satisfying and decadent. The Wholesome carrot cake with spelt ($5 slice) was light and tasty and seemed to work well having the cream in the middle rather than on top as most carrot cakes tend to do. My Mocha ($3) was quite well balanced as hoped without being too bitter. Real chocolate is used and settles on the bottom so be sure to stir it well to emphasis the chocolate taste. I'm tempted to try the Hazelnut torte, Ginger snap iced tea, Macarons and Cookies next time. The service was friendly and welcoming which will be an asset for this place being located a bit off the beaten track. If you need to walk a bit to get to the place it'll be worth it and the extra exercise will help burn off those naughty calories you might consume.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Friendly down-to-earth service, Quality products, Clean and cosy decor, One-stop-sugar-shop, Decent amount of tempting choices

CONS: Location is a bit out of the way but worth the visit, Limited seating and tables, Not the cheapest but better quality than most

MUST TRY: Fine apple tart, Wholesome carrot cake

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15 Nov 2011 visit

Friendly staff give the place a welcoming vibe

Fine apple tart ($5 slice)

WORTH TRYING :-)

Wholesome carrot cake with spelt ($5 slice)

WORTH TRYING :-)

Take away box packaging for my carrot cake

Mocha ($3) — stir the bottom to mix the real chocolate used

Sydney tap water — only the best

Today's menu

Fine apple tart ($5 slice, $50 whole)

Tempting cookies

Muffins, croissants and macarons, lemon capri torte

Cookie Courture products — love the gingerbread designs

Cakes display and jug of Ginger Snap Iced Tea

A few simple tables and chairs inside

Love the pink flowers in the window

11 Jan 2012 visit

Bran muffin ($4.50) — quite moist compared to all other I've had. Fair amount of fruit throughout including sultanas and ricotta I think. I'm generally not a fan of bran muffins but this one was fairly enjoyable as far as bran muffin go. Tasted pretty healthy.

Old Fashion Vanilla Cake ($5) — fairly moist with nice flavours of a double layer of cream and jam. Would go well with a coffee.

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