Finest Lunch at Black by Ezard for $38

To celebrate my best friend’s success in passing his heart stopping exams, Captain Sprinkles and I decided to have a victory lunch at BLACK by Ezard which is situated within the casino, The Star. At BLACK by Ezard, Chef Teage Ezard, who is fame for his trademark at (Two Hats) Ezard in Melbourne and Gingerboy which serves an acclaimed modern Australian cuisine influenced with Asian Hawker-style, adding a sense of fun on a plate.

Black by Ezard lives up to their signature American wood grills inspired by a variety of Asian cuisine and contemporary European food styles also one of their FAMOUS dessert dish “chocolate” is overly reviewed and I needed to know why.  So when Captain Sprinkles suggested a few places to dine particularly hinting Black by Ezard, it was my duty to thoroughly look into their menu which changes seasonally to include exciting combination of fun flavours to suit all tastes. Coincidentally, Captain Sprinkles finished his exams just when Good Food Month is offering “Let’s Do Lunch“- 2 courses– either entree/main or main/dessert for $38 per person AND includes a glass of 2012 Brown Brothers Pinot Grigio, King Valley VIC or either Coopers Beer or a 500mL S.Pellegrino sparkling or Acqua Panna still mineral water.

Isn’t this a great way to sample the BEST dishes at a fine dining restaurant for a very SPECIAL PRICE? 🙂 🙂 🙂

Arriving a bit late than usual, Captain Sprinkles already started celebrating with an alcohol beverage to loosen his mind and because it was extremely sunny that day as well, 35 degrees!!! A perfect weather to go to the beach but I picked food over beach. Teehee

Their service was impeccable as every few steps I took someone new would greet me till I arrived at the window view table. It’s very noticeable that these staff are very enthusiastic. It was a perfect view especially when it was the last day of Sydney Fleet Review.

After informing the friendly waiter what we decided to choose: Captain Sprinkles- entree/main and for me: main/dessert so we could get a taste of everything, a mini loaf of brioche offered with volcanic salt and soft butter was placed at our table. Surprisingly I didn’t know this was included in our lunch but its part of their standard starter, just another reason to try this offer before it ends.

This is definitely the best brioche bread I’ve had so far. Why? Well, not only was it served hot but the golden light brown flaky crust provided the flavour and texture of what a brioche should taste like. Inspired by the French origin- enriched with butter content that gives a light and slightly puffy presentation, with a sweet hint that engages you to try all over again. If you sprinkle a bit of volcanic salt it adds a smoked flavour as for the butter it creates an even more buttery soft feeling.  You can happily enjoy the fine brioche with or without the additional ingredients provided.

Best Brioche Bread

We both decided to pair our meals with a glass of 2012 Brown Brothers Pinot Grigio. I personally don’t think the glass of wine matched any of the meals particularly the main and dessert, it created a sour after taste which I wasn’t a fan of.

2012 Brown Brothers Pinot Grigio

As the waiter served Captain Sprinkles his SASHIMI (Normally $27), the exact same dish was in front of me as well. I clearly remembered the waiter asked if we’d both like the entree to be shared and I agreed but I felt odd when the entree was served in that portion.  As a result there was an error with their system and so the staff informed us my dessert would be complimentary. Hooray to my first time dining at Black by Ezard and I get a complimentary dessert! *Insert happy dance* 🙂 🙂 🙂

SASHIMI of hiramasa kingfish, sesame custard, edamame puree, chardonnay and shallot dressing

Entrees are a strength at Black by Ezard as I was overwhelmed their entree portion is quite HUGE with large thick round servings of sliced hiramasa kingfish- very fresh which is easy to chew and absorbed the edamame puree, chardonnay and shallot dressing – a noticeable powerful shallot flavour which you cannot miss. Adding to the magnificent presentation the ball shaped sesame custard contained a smooth and creamy consistency. As for the crushed sesame seeds that’s glued onto the custard pretty much brings this splendid entree together.

ASTONISHED, I was slightly full from a sashimi dish- this was no ordinary traditional light entree meal. Nonetheless me and Captain Sprinkles stomach were pleased this dish worked out better than what we could possibly imagine. I have to say it’s a BIG DEAL when entrees are severed in a large portion especially at a fine dining restaurant, bonus points to Black by Ezard.

Just before our mains – CORN FED CHICKEN (Normally $38) arrived we could smell the perfect wood fired grill fragrance towards us.

CORN FED CHICKEN faro risotto, parmesan cream, exotic mushrooms, blueberries and roasted chicken jus

At first I hesitated the chicken to be overcooked or the grilled skin to be burnt- I WAS COMPLETELY WRONG! I found this to be visually and textually fantastic- the farro risotto was rich with parmesan cream and loaded with exotic mushrooms that similarly looked like ginseng, plump blueberries soaked in roasted chicken jus, a dish packed with flavour. Farro isn’t something I normal eat but this Italian wheat grain sure attracted my senses as it adds a pleasant chewiness in this springy earthy dish.

The success of this main lies in the corn fed chicken- I was itching for some more and I’m not even kidding.  To interrupt the texture of this chicken I’d say it gave the impression of the popular Chinese classic Hainanese chicken- smooth and supremely tender, but in a European version, the ultimate home style food. A beautifully exquisite signature wood grilled dish worth discovering with your senses.

At last, DESSERT TIME! And our complimentary  CHOCOLATE (Normally $25) certainly puts Ezard to a One Chef’s Hat (SMH Good Food Guide 2013) for a very good reason.  It was finally my turn to indulge in this dish from what the food bloggers, who have constantly recommended this chocolate orgasm on plate and I can see why.

The idea of this dish is witnessing the process from beginning to dissolving to deconstructing. Captain Sprinkles and I paused when we say the chocolate writing “Congratulations” because neither one of us mentioned anything, well done Black by Ezard for outstanding service and reading our minds.

Our Complimentary CHOCOLATE warm couverture ganache, fresh mint ice cream, raspberry mousse, chocolate cookie

A magnificent semi- hollow chocolate sphere contained with a scoop of fresh ice cream and a layer of mousse garnished with a piece of gold foil as a finishing touch. Following a few quick snaps of this sweet dessert the polite waiter slowly pours a jug of warm couverture chocolate over it, fracturing the delicate chocolate sphere, revealing the inside.

At some point you will feel compelled to say “WOW” to this dessert…

Wait for it…

I think for a brief moment I died and went to chocolate heaven…

Closely observing the melted shell, it slowly hardened due to the ice cream severed colder than usual. There you have it, one significant dessert that was completed right in front of me! A mind blowing dish that you MUST order when you dine at Black by Ezard!

Are you curious about the taste? Well, it was absolutely brilliant. Super duper rich flavour perfect to impress chocolate lovers especially with the added couverture ganache which is made with high quality chocolate that includes extra Extra EXTRA cocoa butter so that couverture becomes noticed. The mint ice cream balanced the richness of the chocolate as it included a refreshing flavour. Underneath the ice cream a level of bright pink raspberry mousse provided a tangy taste that pretty much screams for summer.

Zoom in on the dessert of awesomeness.

Possibly the best playful partnership of chocolate, ice-cream and mousse on a plate. I can confidently say Captain Sprinkles and I finished the dessert! A very creative dessert for your senses to dig in.

Needless to mention, Black by Ezard seriously has me appalling for their services, the food was not a sample sized portion rather a generous one and most importantly the packed flavours of each dish. Oh and before I forget… BEST LUNCH SPECIAL OFFER EVER! 🙂 🙂 🙂

I suggest you readers don’t miss out. This offer finishes at the end of October. You definitely will not regret it. Even Captain Sprinkles was amazed with every single dish.

Photos by Vanny Tang

Recommendation:

–        Choose window seats, Sydney offers a lovely view of the harbor

–        Going in groups? Try mixing entree/main or main/dessert so everyone can get a taste of each dish

–        Go with an empty stomach

–        Enjoy the atmosphere!

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