Berry Fairy
Four Friends Cafe, Crows Nest – Not a Typical Sweet Life
It’s not every day you hear miracle stories such as the ability to overcome a life stopping and threatening disease called Scleroderma. It was the presence of her unexpected third child that gave her the strength and love to fight through this rare disease. Katze, the owner of Four Friends Cafe, who before opened an organic cafe in Artarmon for over five years decided to shift to something much more sweeter, handmade chocolates after surviving Scleroderma.
What is different about Four Friends Cafe and the rest of the chocolate shops? Well, from a traditional Buddhist story about four animals (elephant, bird, monkey and bird) that shares a common interest in working harmoniously together towards a happier life. Katze recommends not eating sweets every day, but making time to put a bit of sweetness in your life once or twice a week. Overtime Katze has learnt to be an enthusiast of natural ingredients and organic growing products such as Fair Trade Cacao. She personally enjoys local goods as she has learnt to support small businesses during her struggle with her illness.
Mighty Tall Macaron tower
Staying true to her values to organic ingredients, this self-taught chocolatier makes everything in her tiny kitchen using the finest ingredients, even though shelf life is short, however her determination is what makes Four Friends Cafe. It is upsetting Katze mentions how some people believe her products are not genuine Belgium chocolate and instantly assume her handcrafted chocolates are made from China because Katze is from a Chinese background, therefore less likely to purchase. It’s hard enough for a small business to keep running these days due to economy but to add discrimination and negativity, that’s SOOOO WRONG. It is disappointing there is humans out there who jump into conclusion without giving it a try first. Luckily, Katze managed to turn my frown upside-down by telling me about a 89 year old lady who caught 2 buses on a rainy day just to visit Four Friends after reading an article in the local paper.
Did someone say CHO-COLATE?
This year for Christmas, Four Friends Cafe has announced they will be donating chocolates to 4 shelter homes. Though Katze really REALLY wish that one day she can donate to every single homeless homes and I wish the best of luck in accomplishing this goal.
Hello Santa.
Organic Tea Leaves can be purchased in individual jars at Four Friends.
Display of Organic Tea Leaves
Round #2 of Organic Tea Leaves Display
Upstairs Seating
Berry Fairy Teapot suppose to be served hot, but the sun blasting its shine that day. So the lady suggested she can serve my teapot with ice. MY OH MY! There is an EXPLOSION of BERRIES in this teapot. This is a well -balanced drink that truly refreshes.
Ice Berry Fairy Teapot ($4.50)
Hot Rose Teapot ($4.50)
This delightful The Planet Tasting Plate ($28) including a pot of tea is completely OUT OF THIS WORLD, no doubt a generous tasting plate for one. Yes, for ONE PERSON. It offers 11 bite-size sweets including:
- Green Tea Pistachio cake
- Cherry Pistachio tart
- Popping Kitty chocolate
- Almond Truffles
- Coffee Puff
- Chocolate Mousse with Hazelnut
- Liquorice Macaron
- Dark Chocolate Macaron
- Almond Caramel with Coco Dust
- Gingerbread Chocolate
- Blackcurrant Macaron
The Planet Tasting Plate ($28) including a pot of tea
This plate is perfect addition to your sweet tooth list as it contains only the finest and freshest organic ingredients with a HUGE hint of sweetness. Katze tells me The Planet Tasting Plate represents a multicultural partnership and to positively get along with one another because we all in ONE UNIVERSE. Let’s start with Chocolate Mousse with Hazelnut – This mousse sure shows the meaning of the word nutty. You have to experience the unforgettable combination of chocolate and hazelnut. Its a sweet treat that can truly go along with a cup of coffee or tea.
When I first laid eyes on the Liquorice Macaron, I was very skeptical and I already pictured in my mind that this wasn’t going to disappointing for my tastebuds as I am not a huge fan of liquorice. Boy I would of been a sore loser if I hadn’t give this a go. Let me tell you this silver glittery coated liquorice macaron was the ONLY LIQUORICE I’ve EVER FINISHED. It’s odd to believe I’ve become a fan of a good liquoirice macaron. The liquoirice flavour isn’t overwhelming and contains plenty PLENTY of sweetness. I personally LOVE the presentation as it contains silver GLITTER.
For the classic, the Dark Chocolate Macaron is always a sensational flavour that can never go wrong. A smooth rich ganache filling which is made with the finest Belgium ingredients. Now moving on to something fruity is the Blackcurrant Macaron – Flavours of blackcurrant take center stage in this creation.
When I started diving my fork into the Green Tea Pistachio cake, Katze jokingly tells me how another blogger described this cake to be a smooth soft souffle and let me just point out, it is not soft. Because of the premium flour she uses, this cake’s texture crumbles. If you are a green tea enthusiast, like me, you’ll relish every spoonful with intense flavour of green tea bursting out. In between the impeccable taste of this cake, a crunch you will look forward too is the pistachio.
Green Tea Pistachio cake
Coffee Puff-A light puff pastry crust is filled with flavourful pipped swirls of coffee cream.
Coffee Puff
I wanted to savor every bite of my Almond Truffles – A nutty kind of treat that can make you go instantly NUTS on your first bite. FYI, every single almond piece is covered chocolate truffle.
Almond Truffles
ALMONDS gone wild! This Almond Caramel is HEAVILY dusted with Coco and is a perfect triumvirate of flavours.
Almond Caramel with Coco dust
When I first saw the Popping Kitty, this automatically reminded me of Maneki-neko aka lucky cat figurine, however this one is completely edible. Teehee. I highly recommend you to eat this last as it comes with a twisted surprise. I can really detect the chocolaty flavours as well as the fizzy fireworks that constantly pops every single second in my mouth. A winning treat of mine as it reminds me of back in the days…Wizz Fizz Sherbet Candy use to be a popular demand in the 90’s. Next an interesting take on Ginger Bread chocolate entails a taste you’ll have to try to believe with a unique flavour of gingerbread and chocolate experience. To celebrate Christmas, the chocolate on top stamped with printed Santa Clause.
Popping Kitty and Ginger Bread chocolate
Popping Kitty’s back
Wasn’t so much a fan of Cherry Pistachio tart as I believed it to be a tad sour however fresh cherry flaours accented by accents of cherry and a buttery shortbread biscuit base with sprinkles of pistachio on top.
Cherry Pistachio tart
I have yet to try the Head Barista Jimmy coffees, who earlier this year won 3rd place in Pura Dairy Famers Latte Art Championships. I am extremely keen on what kind of art will be presented to me.
Inspirational things I’ve taken away from chatting with Katze, the owner of Four Friends :
- Enjoy every moment of your life and be grateful about it
- Support small businesses, you’ll be surprised what they offer
- Slow down and take things one step at a time
- Appreciate what is in your food and go for organic
Have a sweet tooth after reading this? Why not drop by Four Friends to relax over a cup of tea and before I forget, CHOCOLATE.
Disclaimer: Nessy Eater tasted The Planet Tasting Plate courtesy of Four Friends Cafe (opportunity provided by polkadotPR). Opinions are however, Nessy Eater’s own.
Photos by Vanny Tang
Like to know more about Nessy Eater food adventures?
You can follow Nessy Eater on Instagram / Facebook / Twitter or feel free to leave a YUMMY comment 😀
