Phone: (02) 9949 5330
SNAPSHOT REVIEW:
Spoilt for sweet choices
Thanks to Nelly Indrawati on behalf of Chef Didier Lannoote for inviting me to Taste of Belgium as a guest with my family to 'taste' the menu. Upon arrival it was clear to see Didier was certainly a passionate chef seeing so many choices of cakes, pastries, chocolates and their much famed Belgium waffles in the counter display — quite overwhelming actually as they all looked very tempting. He also took the time to greet his customers when he could as he popped in and out of the kitchen for his regular stint of a flat white and it looked like the locals knew they were on to a good thing. If initial plans had gone through to have the shop at The Spot in Randwick I'm sure it would have done very well and fair competition for the likes of Bourke Street Bakery and Croquembouche Pâtisserie. The competent Russian barista made a good Cappuccino ($3.50), Real Belgian Hot Chocolate ($4.50) and Mocha ($4.20) that I'd happily order again and the Malabar Chai ($4) was flavoursome.
I was glad to see that a small selection of savoury breakfast dishes were on the menu and hopefully more choices will be added soon. The Ham, Cheese & Tomato Croissant ($8.50) was light and flakey and the Duck paté with brioche ($13.50) comes with great tasting mushrooms. The decent sized Eggs Benedict with Smoked Salmon ($15.50) and Big Breakfast ($16) are worth having and for those who like it sweet the Belgium waffle with ice cream ($9.50) is probably a must. We managed to try a few tarts and if you dine in they get plated up with a bit of creative fruit coulis. They might be considered a little pricey but they're also big enough to share. I liked the toasted nuts in the Tartelette Aux Noix ($7.50) although a scoop of ice cream with it would have been great as well. The Tartelette Citron ($7.50) wasn't overly sweet and I was impressed to see the number of fruits in the Tartelette Aux Fruits ($7.50) — I counted six. To finish we were given a large selection of Belgium chocolates — I'm always a sucker to try the chilli chocolate. I survived the impending sugar overload, just, and wished such a cafe existed closer to home.
SNAPSHOT REVIEW:
PROS: Large range of quality cakes and pastries made daily, Limited breakfast menu but done well, Good Belgium waffles and decent coffees
CONS: Limited seating, Toilet around the side needs a bit of renovation, Website not available
MUST TRY: Belgium waffle, Coffee, Any cake that tickles your fancy
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Owner and Chef Didier Lannoote. Showing off his croquembouche.
Barista of the day
Chocolate tarts in the making
Claim to fame: Pastry Chef to Bill Clinton and George Bush
Cappuccino ($3.50 regular dine in), Real Belgian Hot Chocolate ($4.50 regular dine in)
Mocha ($4.20 large dine in)
Didier's large Flat white
Mocha ($3.50 small dine in), Malabar Chai ($4)
Tea Drop teas: Lemongrass and Ginger tea ($4)
Ham, Cheese & Tomata Croissant ($8.50)
Duck paté with brioche ($13.50)
Brioche with jam and butter ($5.50) with coffee special ($6.50)
Eggs Benedict with Smoked Salmon ($15.50)
Big Breakfast - Eggs cooked to your liking, bacon, pork sausage, roasted tomato & mushrooms on homemade sourdough toast ($16)
Belgium waffle with ice cream ($9.50)
Tartelette Aux Noix ($7.50 dine in)
Tartelette Aux Fruits ($7.50 dine in)
Tartelette Citron - Lemon meringue ($7.50)
Handmade Belgium chocolates ($2 – $3.50 each)
Belgian waffles menu
Coffee and tea menu
Breakfast menu
Croquembouche and chocolate sculptures on display
Pastries and pies
Cakes display
Baguettes and freshly baked pretzels
Belgium chocolate display
Paté and freshly made waffles
Chocolate cake ($35)
Table supports can be a little awkward
Seating and service counter
