Baroque Bistro: Willie's Chocolate Dinners and Masterclass, The Rocks

88 George Street, The Rocks NSW
2000
http://www.baroquebistro.com.au

Chocolate cravings explored

London based Willie Harcourt-Cooze will join the team at Baroque Bistro and Patisserie as part of the Crave Sydney International Food Festival for a series of once-in-a-lifetime chocolate experiences. Willie, dubbed an eccentric entrepreneur with a mission to educate the public in the delights of top quality chocolate, came to fame in 2008 with the airing of his Channel 4 documentary, ‘Willie’s Wonky Chocolate Factory’

To be honest I've never actually heard of Willie Harcourt-Cooze until now through media releases and seeing this name being part of Crave Sydney International Food Festival this year — plus seeing that crazy photo of him in a tub of chocolate (see below) that reminded me of the sweet-toothed Chocolatesuze. For those in the know I'm sure they'll be interested in his Willie's Wonky Chocolate Dinners ($220, 4 & 5 Oct) at Baroque Bistro where he'll be joined by Baroque's chefs Peter Robertson and Jean-Michel Raynaud to showcase a 5-course savoury to sweet menu. I wonder if Adriano 'Freakin' Zumbo will be checking it out? It's certainly not a cheap event but quite possibly a once-in-a-lifetime 'golden ticket' event for those with a sweet tooth who really enjoy their chocolate to no end. The Willie’s Wonky Chocolate Masterclass ($120, 3 Oct) is a bit more reasonably priced and you'll still get to meet Willie and taste a variety of recipes showing how chocolate can be used in dishes both savoury and sweet. For something affordable for everyone Baroque’s award-winning pastry chef Jean-Michel Raynaud will create a chocolate macaron made using Willie’s premium quality chocolate product. The limited edition macaron will be available at Baroque for the month of October for $2.50 each — that's even cheaper than Cafe Cre Asion, and hopefully just as wickedly good.

SPECIAL OFFER:

To help sweeten the dinner deal Baroque Bistro are offering a FREE box of 6 Limited Edition Chocolate Macarons (per person) using Willie’s premium quality chocolate if you mention 'Simon Food Favourites' at the time of booking a chocolate dinner — that's worth $15 and you decide whether you want to share them or not. To claim this special offer contact marketing@baroquebistro.com.au

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: It's chocolate — leave no prisoners — made by an eccentric chocolate entrepreneur

CONS: Expensive but a once-in-a-lifetime experience, Possible sugar overload pending

MUST TRY: The chocolate macarons

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No rubber duckies were harmed in the making of this photo — I hope!

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Nespresso: Limited Edition 'Onirio' Coffee Launch at Baroque, Sydney (5 April 2011)

88 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000
http://www.baroquebistro.com.au
http://www.nespresso.com

Coffee, flora & fragrance

With a fragrant bouquet of white flowers, jasmine and orange blossom, the in-cup flavours of Onirio have been layered with the sophistication of a fine French fragrance

Thanks to Krystyna from Weber Shandwick for inviting me to this special breakfast launch of the new Nespresso Limited Edition coffee ‘Onirio’. An 8 am start time is like a different world for me so the organised taxi pickup certainly helped getting me to Baroque at The Rocks. I’ve met two types of people who use Nespresso, those that love it and those who adore it. I’m not sure if it’s the ease of use, the taste or just thinking they’re one step closer to being with George Clooney that makes people so passionate, even fanatical about their Nespresso.

Arriving to a table setting fit for a Royal Wedding with window views towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge guests were treated to an assortment of pastries and cakes prepared on site by Baroque. Being a non-caffeine addict I usually kick start my day with fruit juice so the orange juice was most welcomed before delving into a scrumptiously wicked (as in good) mini chocolate and pistachio roulade with excellent caramelisation and lightness of pastry that melted in your mouth. Followed shortly by delicate and airy mini ham & cheese croissants which I simply couldn’t stop at one. The cute mini mixed fruit tartlets and mini raspberry mousses toyed with the waistline and mini mixed Danishes were superbly fresh and delicious. As a special treat Baroque made some Nespresso Onirio Macarons which were well-balanced with a nice smooth taste of coffee — I think they should consider having these on the menu.

The fashionable and entertaining Clint Dowdell, Australian Fragrance Specialist, explained the fragrance notes associated with Onirio. As fragrances of Osmanthus, un parfum d'Ailleurs & Fleurs and Jasmin de Nuit were handed out along with all the surrounding white floral arrangements it wasn’t a far stretch to start thinking I was part of some private women’s high tea party. Nevertheless with my fellow male comrades in short supply, we joined the ladies in appreciating an espresso of Onirio. My preference for coffee is usually with sugar and milk so a following order of a cappuccino was more to my liking and palate. Not too strong, not too weak, as it sat on the Nespresso scale in the middle for strength. The Nespresso Pixie coffee machine ($399 RRP) was also being showcased in its three available colours. Quite a compact unit for those with little bench space but just as adept in punching out those cute little coffee pods synonymous with Nespresso.

The Onirio Grand Cru and accessories collection will be available from Nespresso Boutiques nationwide and online from 18 April 2011.

Other Nespresso events:

• 8 Sept 2011 - Nespresso Limited Edition 'Dhjana'

• 5 April 2011 - Nespresso Limited Edition 'Onirio'

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: A mid strength coffee with floral notes that will suit most that are not die hard ristretto devotees, Nespresso machines are easy to use, clean and take up minimal bench space, Pods seem reasonably priced

CONS: Coffee can be addictive for some and a lifeline for those that have it regularly each morning

MUST TRY: Mini chocolate and pistachio roulade, Mini ham & cheese croissants

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Nespresso Onirio coffee — straight up

Nespresso Onirio cappuccino

Nespresso Pixie coffee machine ($399 RRP)

Orange juice to kick start my day

Beloka Water Australian Alps sparkling and still

Mini chocolate and pistachio roulade

Mini ham & cheese croissants, Mini assorted quiches

Mini ham & cheese croissants

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Mini mixed fruit tartlet, Mini raspberry mousse

Mini mixed fruit tartlet, Mini raspberry mousse

Mini mixed Danish

Nespresso Onirio macarons

Table setting

Place card — fragrant soap

Fragrance and flora decor

Nespresso Onirio product display

Clint Dowdell, Australian Fragrance Specialist

Breakfast guests

Professional photographer going in for the shot

Beautiful hand writing

The Different Company fragrances: Osmanthus, un parfum d'Ailleurs & Fleurs, Jasmin de Nuit

Goodie Bag of Onirio Accessories Collection

Jean-Michel Raynaud, Chef and Production & Business Development Manager, preparing the macarons

Other enticing desserts from Baroque

Harbour bridge views

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Baroque Bistro Patisserie: Free Macarons, The Rocks, Sydney (25 Mar 2010)

88 George Street, The Rocks, Sydney NSW 2000
http://www.baroquebistro.com.au

Delights of sweet pleasure

Q. So what's better than a delicious macaron from Baroque Bistro Patisserie?

A. A whole box of 28 of them hand-delivered for FREE!

How's this possible? We'll for the month of March I was the lucky draw prize winner of their popular competition Who's the most popular in your office? which allows you the chance to win a box. These are the first macarons I've tried in Sydney and love them. My favourites were Salted Caramel and Rosewater and my least favourite was Olive Oil but it was still nice and quite amazing how you can taste the olive oil without it being too sickly. The Cassis would have been the most rich tasting for me. The Jasmine Tea flavour was light on flavour but still slightly noticeable. The Passionfruit & Milk Chocolate was also very nice. So if your keen to go in the draw to win your own box for the office then be sure to enter — you've got nothing to lose and plenty to gain!

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Interesting flavours, super light and delicate meringue, tasty fillings

CONS: You can't stop at one

MUST TRY: Salted caramel, Rosewater

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Me and the box of 28 macarons

Eight flavours to try — I want them all!

Passionfruit & Milk Chocolate Macaron

Chocolate Macaron

Pistachio & Sour Cherry Macaron

Cassis Macaron

Salted Caramel Macaron

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Rosewater Macaron

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Jasmine Tea Macaron

Olive Oil Macaron

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