Bitton Gourmet: French Cafe & Bistro, Rose Bay (17 Feb 2020)

23 Plumer Road, Rose Bay NSW 2029
https://bittongourmet.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/bittongourmet/

Bitton joins Rose Bay

It's looking like a good start for Bitton Gourmet's new opening in Rose Bay taking over the prestige corner site where Bernasconi's ran for many years. As you enter you're greeted with their extensive range of gourmet jams, dressings and condiments. Cappuccino ($4.40) using Grinders Coffee was nice although positions itself as one of the more expensive coffees in the area. French Crepes with Bitton Strawberry and Vanilla Jam, Mixed Berry Compote ($16) had nice thin crepes and tasty jam. Would have loved more of the berry compote for the serving size. A small pot of double cream would do wonders as well. Outside tables are on the petit side so a bit of plate tetris will be required if you're thinking of sharing a dish with side plates. Service was welcoming and friendly as you'd expect from a hospitality veteran with two other well-established cafes in Alexandria and Oatley. Pleasant outside dining on a sunny day with local views of the green trees and golf course. For those with deeper pockets I spy glasses of NV Louis Roederer Brut Champagne available for $26 to wash down your breakfast order.

Taste Test: Huntley Berry Farm jam, Huntley (7 June 2013)

Huntley Road, Huntley NSW 2800

http://www.huntleyberryfarm.com.au

Community made jam

“Huntley Berry Farm is an OCTEC-owned and operated Australian Disability Enterprise, as well as a significant contributor to Orange’s reputation for high quality locally grown produce. The farm has long been known for its large variety of berries, which visitors can pick themselves between November and May each year.”

Thanks to Tom Harvey from OCTEC (Orange Community Training and Education Centre) for sending me some jam samples made by Huntley Berry Farm. OCTEC is a not-for-profit community business providing employment, education, training and advocacy services to all members of the community in the Central West of NSW. At the farm, a number of people with disabilities are employed to carry out activities associated with operating Huntley Berry Farm. I did a taste test of 12 jams, 1 jelly and 1 chutney on some pancakes which I thought would make a suitable base. Overall the jams were well received with the Boysenberry and Bourbon Jam being a clear favourite amongst many including myself. It had an enjoyable well-rounded mouth flavour with a bit of punch. I also liked the Blackberry and Whisky Jam. It must be the balance of alcohol that I found really worked a treat although probably best to avoid feeding to the kids. I thought the Strawberry Rose Jam would be good on scones and the Strawberry and Vanilla Jam would suit a sponge cake. The Feijoa and Macadamia Jam might work well with cheese instead of quince paste and the runny Red Currant Jelly with a turkey sandwich. The Feijoa Chutney would probably go well on a ham sandwich. Marmalade or mixed berry jam don't seem to be available in the range which are some of my favourite jams I tend to look out for. Pricing comes at a premium at $2.50 for a 40ml, $7 for 200ml, $9.50 for 300ml and the jams with alcohol $8.50 for 200ml and $10.50 for 300ml. I'd recommend visiting the farm to sample products before purchasing as there's so many choice and everyone's taste is different in what they find appealing.

Here's a great video by ABC Central West NSW
http://www.abc.net.au/local/videos/2013/08/07/3820065.htm

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Interesting flavour combinations, Quality ingredients, Supports people with disabilities and local community

CONS:  The online shop needs a bit of refresh to make it easier to navigate and purchase products, Jams are at a premium price, I'm assuming you need to avoid feeding alcoholic jams to kids, Marmalade or mixed berry jam not available

MUST TRY: Boysenberry and Bourbon Jam, Blackberry and Whisky Jam, Visiting Huntley Berry Farm during fruit picking season

VERDICT: An extensive range of jams that tempts me to visit the farm during fruit picking season as a family outing

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Boysenberry and Bourbon Jam — good balanced flavour

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Strawberry and Cointreau Jam — nice, slight marmalade taste from I think the Cointreau

Strawberry, Balsamic Vinegar and Pepper Jam — OK although quite a thick consistency

Blackberry and Whisky Jam — good flavour
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Strawberry Rose Jam — would go well on scones with cream

Strawberry and Vanilla Jam — would go well in a sponge cake

Raspberry Jam — good

Spiced Blackberry Jam — nice

Blackberry, Balsamic Vinegar and Pepper Jam — quite thick, robust flavour notes

Rum and Raspberry Jam — nice

Feijoa and Macadamia Jam — would probably go well with cheese like quince jam

Blackberry and Lime Jam — lifted end notes of lime

Red Currant Jelly — nice but very runny consistency, might be good for turkey sandwiches

Feijoa Chutney — nice for perhaps ham sandwiches or roast meats

Tasting survey

My tasting notes

Toscano pancakes ($4, Coles) — I used these as the tasting base. They taste better if you quickly pan fry them with a bit of butter to warm them up

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Taste Test: Paddy the Baker Irish Soda Bread (15 & 30 Mar 2012)

http://www.paddythebaker.com

https://twitter.com/#!/paddythebaker

Luck of the Irish soda

Thanks to Gerard 'Paddy' Winston (pictured above) for providing samples of his breads and jams to taste test. I remember spotting his stand at the Good Food & Wine Show 2011 but never had a chance to try at the time with all the seagull tasting crowds around him. His Irish Soda Bread ($6.50) is something very new for me to try — I never knew this style of bread existed. It's quite dense and different to what I'm used to so I think it's a bit of an acquired taste for me. I preferred it toasted but it's even better with butter or some sort of topping. I preferred the Seriously Seedy Soda Bread ($7.50) which was more to my liking with plenty of seeds that made it more tasty for me. The Irish Potato Bread ($5.50) was my preferred favourite which I'd happily have again. Heating it up in a sandwich toaster seemed to work a treat and it went very well with the Mixed Berry Jam ($7) which had excellent flavour. Would make a great base for a canapé with some crème fraiche, smoked salmon and dill. A second tasting delivery came with some Spotted Dick ($7.95) filled with sultanas for flavour. I much preferred it toasted with a liberal spread of butter. I think it would also work with some candied citrus peel in the mix for extra zing. The Irish Whiskey Marmalade ($7) and Irish Raspberry Jam ($7) both had very good flavour and consistency. The jars are quite small so it's more a case of quality rather than quantity to justify the price.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: 100% natural, No yeast, No preservatives or additives, Low GI, Jams are excellent with lots of flavour

CONS: Acquired taste for the Irish Soda Bread but it does have its fans, Available in limited locations but can be bought online, Jam jars are quite small — quality over quantity

MUST TRY: All jams, Irish Potato Bread, Spotted Dick just for the name alone

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Seriously Seedy Soda Bread ($7.50), Irish Soda Bread ($6.50), Irish Potato Bread ($5.50), Mixed Berry Jam ($7)

Irish Soda Bread ($6.50)

Seriously Seedy Soda Bread ($7.50)

Irish Potato Bread ($5.50)

WORTH TRYING :-)

Spotted Dick ($7.95)

WORTH TRYING :-)

Mixed Berry Jam ($7)

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Irish Whiskey Marmalade ($7), Irish Raspberry Jam ($7)

Irish Raspberry Jam ($7)

WORTH TRYING :-)

Irish Whiskey Marmalade ($7)

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Taste Test Survey: Seriously Seedy Soda Bread, Irish Soda Bread, Irish Potato Bread, Mixed Berry Jam

Taste Test Survey: Spotted Dick, Raspberry Jam, Irish Whiskey Marmalade

The tasting table