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Swissotel Sydney Christmas Afternoon Tea Buffet
HAPPY 2015 FOODIE FRIENDS! Can you believe it’s mid of January already?! By now you may have noticed Nessy Eater’s been busy indulging desserts and summery meals on Instagram. The Food Gods knew that they’d needed new volunteers to take up the festive Christmas feast and so they immediately decided to choose me. OH the pain I had to endure and retire my typewriter during the holiday season. But sometimes when you’re giving a task during Xmas by the Food Gods and it involves your stomach and gingerbread man, it’s automatically a food hall pass. This hall pass was cherished and used judiciously for it is not an easy thing to obtain. The hall pass is something to be prized and by verbal consent from the Food Gods and Santa, Nessy Eater has permission to share great foods with you kids. What are you waiting for? Let’s begin!
It’s my second visit to Crossroads Bar at Swissotel Sydney and just before I had retired my typewriter and crisp white paper, I managed to spot a really good deal on Groupon. For $79 for two people, you get Christmas Weekend High Tea plus a cocktail for each person. Before treating your tummy to savoury foods and sweet delights, I wanted to quickly inform you that this deal was ALL YOU CAN EAT high tea. I repeat High Tea BUFFET. DON’T PANIC IF YOU’VE MISSED OUT! After a quick investigation like a detective I found out through the Swissotel’s website the high tea buffet is still on but not Xmas themed though. I’m sure it would be still as good and it is normally $79 per person. That’s CRAZY! I saved $79! This by far was the best deal that I’ve ever purchased from Groupon.
Are you drooling?
Before thunder and lightning strikes to my typewriter I think it’s now time to share the Christmas spirit with you. Within a 5-star luxury hotel the Swissotel does get a thumbs up for their modern and elegant interior, however their service and overall management did not make it to a two-star. We were disappointed by the lack of service and management skills. For example when we arrived, staffs at the Swissotel looked like they wanted to wrestle with guests in UFC style. You could see it in their eyes they were very frustrated and sad, especially when there was one main bartender, a supervisor and three waitresses serving around fourty five plus guests. Waitresses responded with a robotic tone and left unhappily after we made our beverage orders. I guess Santa’s been overworking his helpers. Anyways moving on to rainbows and unicorns.
Our festive fare started with Christmas pudding. This traditional pud is made from vine fruit and butter, eggs and a splash of vanilla custard. Each handmade pudding was the size of a baseball and half a tennis ball. What does it taste like? Think fruitcake. It’s not everyone’s taste as it’s an acquired taste, it’s cream sauce with dried fruits in it. I think it err needed lots of cream to tone it down.
Christmas pudding
Strawberry cream caramel kept vanishing every time I was forced to return to the dessert bar. Lightly greasy but it’s wrapped around a creamy center that won’t disappoint. The half sliced strawberry made this dessert refreshing. I like the chance to play around with the wobbly jelly like texture of the cream caramel before I devour it. It gives me time to mingle before I say good-bye to it for the second time. If you’re craving for that caramel sauce to take home then you need to ask Executive Chef Thomas Heinrich for a favour.
Strawberry cream caramel
I managed to somehow not shatter the blackberry pavlova into a million pieces before it made it back to my table. The fun sized pavlova looked like snow ball meringues. It was extremely light and airy. Being able to taste it for the third time, it was one of those fabulous treats to go along with a cup of tea.
Blackberry pavlova
As Christmas traditions go, starting a marvellous high tea with a shot of eggnog is another great way to celebrate the festive season. The shot was very satisfying as there was an egg-rich dairy punch flavour. It can be very boozy and super rich if there’s more eggs added, but thankfully not.
Eggnog shots
Festive must haves were the fruit mince tart. Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without buttery pastries and fruity mince pies. These delectable star shaped mince pies simply provided a moment of self-indulgence for me. The outside butter-enriched pastry is stuffed with chunks of moist fruit and topped with heavy sprinkles of icing.
Fruit star tart
Oh hot summer days means we need to thank the bartender at Swissotel for making us the strawberry cocktail. Though we were half way feeding our inner cravings, we still managed to wash this beverage down. The sweetness of the strawberries was a real crowd pleaser and off course the rum. It wasn’t sickly sweet, which is good news coming from the syrup. The texture kicked ass as it felt like a strawberry slushy rather than a classic cocktail.
Strawberry cocktail
Me thinks the strawberry panna cotta was carefully crafted. The strawberries makes a great companion with the panna cotta for bright, sharp summer fruit. The taste was somewhat cream-heavier but that didn’t matter too much because I was mildly annoyed at the casual sophistication of the presentation for this dessert.
Strawberry panna cotta
Just look at how this chocolate fountain GLISTENS! It brings a smile to everyone’s face including the grumpy cats. Stop making me smile chocolate fountain! STOP IT!
Chocolate fountain
I simply couldn’t get enough of the salted caramel and jam lamingtons. The lamingtons were sandwiching the sweet jam. I tried burying evidence of me eating this, but the shredded dried coconuts around my mouth gave it away.
Salted caramel and jam lamingtons
This chilled blueberry panna cotta in a miniature plastic cup was simply impressive. The fresh blueberries and pipped cream married so well with the silky smooth vanilla bean gelatine.
Blueberry panna cotta
With our voucher package, we were treated with selections of tea or coffee. All teas are from T2.
English breakfast by T2
Tempt the tastebuds with smoked salmon tartar with pipped cream cheese on waffle cone. It’s so easy to eat and I didn’t notice I ate five till I started counting the gold wrappers. Oh Whoops!
Smoked salmon tartar cone
Not sure if sandwiches are meant to look like they’re all swirled up but hey I’m loving it. This smoked turkey, pickled raspberry jam and rocket on harvest grain was juicy with that jam spread across the bread so evenly. The thick pieces of turkey was zomg crazy ass delicious.
Smoked turkey swirl sandwich
Making my way back to the buffet bar and look who do we have here…cocktail prawn station with Crystal Bay Australian reef prawn cocktail with lemon and cocktail dressing.
Cocktail prawn station
The fire roasted red capsicums with green olive and goat cheese baguette was my least favourite. It was an interesting take on for me in terms of flavours. It has that sweet sourness from the olive and cold texture of goat cheese which I didn’t favour.
Bitesize baguette
Wicked, decadent and sinful was hardly the best description for these dreamy little masterpieces. I took my time connecting with the Christmas profiteroles. Glazed with milk chocolate atop and sprinkles of crushes chocolate pieces, I think it was the perfect addition to the buffet bar.
Christmas profiteroles
Wait there’s MORE DESSERTS?! I became very full from stuffing my belly with trying a bit of everything, but noooooooo the pastry chef had to bring this blackberry and white chocolate mousse just before I was about to pack my fat body and go. My belly was crying on the inside but because this mousse cake was beautifully presented, I had to cut a seven inch width slice of cake.
Blackberry and white chocolate mousse
I spy with my eyes….. is that a full plate of Christmas macarons? A sensational dessert that always alwAYS ALWAYS pleases! Hehe.
Christmas macarons
We had to arrange a little bit more stomach space for the spring berry tart. Glad we did because that tart had just came straight out of the pastry headquarters looking all innocent and sweet.
Spring berry tart
Woohoo our Christmas Afternoon Tea finally came to an end, however I’m sorry I’ve missed out taking a few photos of some desserts and savories. Overall I loved skipping my way to the buffet bar and thank goodness majority of the desserts and savoury tasted magical so I could forget about their below average service. Totes heart every single desserts presentation. Swissotel is a great spot for afternoon tea whores, for example like me, although it’s a tad pricey but it’s ALL YOU CAN EAT sugar. To my disappointment I couldn’t walk out of the hotel like a Victoria Secret Model in high heels. Instead I left waddling out like Mumble from Happy Feet and swore to myself that I ain’t gonnabe eating dinner…
Top view of spring berry tart
Photos by Vanny Tang
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EatNow on the go- Caesar’s Pizza Palace
Are you living in a busy hectic schedule that you just don’t have enough time to cook? To make sure you have one less thing to think about, why not order or pre-order your favourite food on the move. EatNow is providing take-away lovers an easier solution by simply downloading their iOS App. Not only does it this app features include cuisine or rating but you’d be able to benefit specials deals and discounts.
For a first time user, download the EatNow app. This shouldn’t be hard for the iphone users.
Now, it’s time to select where you are. For Nessy Eater girl, Sydney’s her home.
After selecting your suburb, time to select a take-away spot you’d like to eat. For me, I think my stomach was rumbling for Caesar’s Pizza Palace and also because I spotted first time users get 20% off total bill. WooHOO!
When time is precious, look for skip to button and this automatically leads to starters, pasta, pizzas…etc.
Getting excited to check out! Once you’ve selected all the foods, click CONTINUE.
Ok, you got me! I clearly decided to be lazy and asked for delivery. Delivery was free, only when you spend a certain amount for example this one was min $20.
You have the option to connect to your Facebook account or just sign up using an email address.
It’s payment time and it takes only 1 minute to fill this in.
ALMOST DONE! Double checking my orders and press the place order button.
How convenient was that? It took me roughly 10 minutes including deciding what to eat and filling in the details.
Don’t have a receipt? NO WORRIES! EatNow will definitely send you a confirmation and order number so you can track your food.
They even do email too, just incase you gave them the wrong number.
Shame delivery for me was 10 minutes late, but that wasn’t a problem for me because the pizzas were waiting. My first food item that I quickly unpacked was the delicious lamb medium ($19.90). I think I was crazy for the marinated lamb fillets, thinly sliced green capsicums, finely chopped onion and lots of feta topped with lemon zest. The pizza dough was nicely thin with a gentle flavour and soft chewy texture.
Delicious lamb medium ($19.90) sure was DELICIOUS.
You may or may not be a little excited for the Lasagne ($13) but this had a ridiculous amount of tomato and minced beef made with several layers of lasagne sheets. Not what I expected, but I think they may want to brush up on the presentation on this one.
Looking so red there lasagne…are you blushing in front of me? 😛
Moving onto my next pizza, I present to you Penang Chicken Medium ($19.90). This was heavily marinated with chicken, roasted capsicum, onion, halved peanuts topped with satay sauce and MORE peanuts. If you like a bit of tang in your pizza, the wedge of lemon serves its purpose. You’ll fall into pieces if you don’t get a slice of this.
Penang Chicken Medium ($19.90)
Coke ($2.50)
I easily get trapped with words like Homemade Cakes ($7.90), so I had to put that in the checkout. I think the plural made it even more convincing for me to order this, but it turned out to be just a huge slice of tiramisu. It was a rich dessert of Italian meringue, mascarpone and soft biscuits soaked in coffee and a good dose of liqueur was detected. The highlight of EatNow for me was the special discounts and free items, but that only depends on the restaurant. Overall, using EatNow iOS app was super easy to use and a great on the go tool making it easy and simple to order a variety of cuisines.
Homemade Cakes ($7.90)
Photos by Vanny Tang
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Disclaimer: Nessy Eater received $50 voucher from EatNow (opportunity provided by EatNow). Opinions are however, Nessy Eater’s own.
Eat Love Pizza- Kris Kringle Dinner
Can you believe it, Christmas is already over? And I struggle to believe this because I am still a BIG KID at heart for presents AND food, off course. Teehee. I absolutely love Christmas because it’s the perfect excuse to go present hunting and it is UNAVOIDABLE, but it also gives me the opportunity to connect with old friends and make new ones too. It seems like this year was my very first Kris Kringle with the girls and I was thrilled Almighty Princess found somewhat a BARGAIN of a scoopon over the net. For FOUR PEOPLE ($109), you get to choose an entree, main and dessert EACH from Eat Love Pizza menu PLUS TWO bottles of wine. Visit here for this offer. It’s so worth it!
Boasting the inspiring sights of the Sydney water views and taking in the TWO bottles of white and red wine, we do a Kris Kringle exchange.
Lakeview Shiraz 2013
Lakeview Sauvignon Blanc 2013
And have I been a good girl this year? OH PLEASE Santa… I do hope so!
*Squeals* Ba ba ba na na Minion slippers from Secret Santa.
Potato
I must be a really REALLY good girl this year as Secret Santa got me not one, but TWO PRESENTS.
And a present from Almighty Princess, I feel loved.
Awwww….I LOVE PRICELESS Christmas cards because it shows so much love and effort. Thanks Miss Boobie Trap! 😀
We began stuffing our face with their entree section, Classic tomato bruschetta (serving for one person) – A floury crust that is easy to chew with chucks of fresh vine ripened tomatoes and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar is a great starter but personally this can be easily done at home.
Classic tomato bruschetta
Next is the Garlic Pizza crust ($13) – For some mysterious reason the olive tapenade turned out to be ADDICTIVE and FYI, I ain’t an olive lover. With the pizza face being so cheesy in parmesan, I had to have a second and perhaps a third slice. Haha.
Garlic Pizza crust
Arancini – Golden crumbed risotto balls served with tomato dipping sauce ($16.50) turned out to be a very generous portion, two balls for each person. There was a crunch provided with uncooked risotto.
Arancini
Frittata ($14.50) was delicious with a blend of potato, carmelised onion & capsicum accompanied with rocket salad and walnut– I thought the salad and frittata was a great partner. It offers a variety of textures and fresh flavours.
Frittata
Carbonara was a perfect consistency containing egg yolk, cream, parmesan, guanciale and black pepper with linguine, however this turned out to be the least favourite dish. Firstly, slightly too plain, in terms of display wise, HOWEVER my tastebuds were pleased to detect their pasta are freshly made.
Carbonara
Aglio contains chilli, garlic, eschellots and parsley served with linguine– It was much heavier in texture compared to carbonara and lacked the sauce flavour. I could only taste the pasta and chilli.
Aglio
I don’t usually eat duck in pizza but the Peking Duck pizza included tomato base, duck, sesame seed, chili, shallot, sesame oil, rocket, orange ($26) – I have to emphasise how incredibly flavoursome this pizza taste. I could almost taste every single ingredient even the orange too. It would of been fantastic if the freshly thin pizza dough was a bit more thicker, otherwise this pizza was well put together.
Peking Duck pizza
BBQ chicken pizza ($26) contained a very tasty BBQ base, a spread of mozzarella, capsicum, stripes of BBQ chicken breast fillet and mayonnaise. I wasn’t crazily enthusiastic with grabbing a slice as I imagined it to be a standard flavour and I was right.
BBQ chicken pizza
And a complimentary walnut salad to share was provided in this Scoopon.
complimentary Walnut salad
Gathered around the table, we all WOW-ed at the Classic homemade tiramisu ($14) because it was MONSTEROUSLY BIG in serving. It actually could feed all four of us! But I was just been naughty and had it all to myself. A very genuine taste of tiramisu consist of coffee flavour with cocoa.
Classic homemade tiramisu
There were giggles amongst our table when the wobbly Vanilla Bean pannacotta ($14) with peaches, raspberry coulis and crushed almond biscuit arrived. I guess a few glasses of wine really does make me do a few foolish things because I managed to somehow film this dessert. Check it out here on Instagram. This smooth silky Italian dessert made by simmering together milk, cream and sugar was made to perfection.
Vanilla Bean pannacotta
All in all, Eat Love Pizza is perfect for a casual romantic spot for couples or first date as it presents spectacular views of Darling Harbour. As for the food, best to purchase a scoopon as it turns out to be reasonably more worth it as it includes TWO WINE BOTTLES if you purchase for FOUR PEOPLE.
PLEASE NOTE: Nessy Eater dined using Scoopon deal ($109 for dinner with 2 Bottles of Wine for Four People). Size, quantity and price in each dish may vary as this was a Scoopon deal.
Photos by Vanny Tang
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