Etch Restaurant

I haven't been to Justin North's Etch for a few years now and what striked me last time was their amazing caramel date tart with earl grey tea syrup. Knowing that i was going to Etch again after we bought the TravelZoo voucher, i had to make sure they still had their signature dessert on their menu, which it was =)

The travelzoo voucher was $85 for 2 people - 3 course dinner with coffee/tea and petit four. What a bargain!!

There were only two mocktails (both $12 each) on their drinks list so we ordered them both. My mint, kiwi and apple juice was refreshing with copious amounts of mint and kiwi chunks at the bottom for me to scoop out.



The ginger beer, apple and lime was nice but the ginger beer overpowered the others so i could only taste the ginger beer. After the mocktail was drunk, i was happy eating the ginger beer flavoured apples left over.



For entree we ordered the ocean trout and pork belly. When my friend's ocean trout arrived, i had entree envy. It was extraordinarily pretty with the delicate microherbs and flowers on top of the beautifully arranged fish.



Confit petuna ocean trout, smoked scallop,radios, wasabi



My pork belly was delish! Although my pork crackling fell off the pork (oopsy) it was so crunchy. Unlike the pork belly at other places it was definitely freshly made and no chewy crackling. The pork was succulent and marbled with fat. The crispy prawns were textural and flavour balanced with apple and cider vinaigrette.


Caramelised pork belly, crispy prawn, pickled granny smith, cider vinaigrette

My baked snapper main was served with foam. Been a while since i've had foam but it worked well as it added some airy creaminess. The fish was fresh and worked well with the cauliflower bhaji (i.e. fritter), battered squid and scallops.


Baked snapper, scallop and squid, cauliflower bhaji, curry emulsion

The veal rump was made to perfection, tender and juicy. It came with my favourite side - potato! The sauce was quite strong and robust which goes well with the meat but the dish is a bit heavy if you're not hungry.



Chargrilled veal rump, sarladaise potato,malt vinegar jus



Finally the moment i've been waiting for - the caramel date tart!! It was super light and creamy, evident as soon as my spoon sliced the tart. The tart is not overly sweet with the date and caramel. The hero of the dessert is undoubtedly the earl grey tea syrup! It tastes exactly like rich earl grey tea but in syrup form. I would lick the plate clean if i was allowed to!



Caramel date tart, earl grey tea syrup, burnt butter ice cream



The cheesecake was a deconstruction with thick biscuit crumbs, oblong pieces of brillat savarin cheese (a soft cow's milk cheese), champagne jelly cubes, mandarin jelly and mandarin sorbet. The cheese disappates in your mouth and is not overly rich. Presented beautifully it was a great combination of textures and a fabulous dessert to finish off the meal.



Brillat savarin cheesecake, champagne jelly, mandarin sorbet



We were served coffee/tea and petit fours. The petit fours were nut brittles and chocolate aero bars. I was so full by this stage that i could not stuff an extra mouthful into me and could only tear a corner of each to try. The aero bar melts instantly in my mouth and the brittle, in comparison is rock hard.



It is a shame Etch lost its one hat because it is such a wonderful restaurant with attentive service. Hope they make an appearance on the list next year as they truly deserve it!

Etch Restaurant
62 Bridge Street
Sydney
Tel - 02 9247 4777
http://www.etchdining.com/