Kazbah @ Darling Harbour

My friend was able to get a 50% discount voucher for Kazbah which was valid for 4 days only. We've been to Kazbah in the past to have their infamous breakfast tangines (which were to die for!!) at Kazbah in Balmain but we've never tried their dinners. Hence without hesitation we booked ourselves into the Kazbah at Darling Harbour to savour the flavours influenced by middle east and northern africa.

We all opted for the 3 course with wine for $55pp. 2 course with wine is also available at $45pp. For the 3 course that day we were told we will be served a selection of dips and bread followed by a Mezzes plate and then we chose our own main from the tangines, shish kebabs and specialties list on the menu.




The cool water jug with mint leaves

We requested the babaghanouj (eggplant dip) to replace the carrot. The generous serving of dips meant that we didnt have enough crispy bread to dip with. It was a lovely blend of flavours, not too spiced and texturely pleasing.


Babaghanouj, Hummus and Tzatziki dips


Crispy lebanese bread

The Mezze plate came with a selection of goodies - soft shell crab, prawns, chicken wing and grilled halloumi cheese. Even though i would prefer the japanese style soft shell crab instead, the other elements were scrumptious especially the sweet marinated chicken wings and grilled halloumi.


Mixed Mezze plate - cumin battered soft shell crab, chilli prawns, chicken wings, grilled halloumi cheese and beans

As a duck lover i couldnt go past a duck dish. The massive portion of duck was tender with the sweetness of quince, crunchy sweet potatoes providing a winning combination of textures.


Roast duck, falafel, honey baked quince, sweet potao chips


Tangine - beef cheeks, sweet potatoes, camramelised onions, almonds

I was extremely full by this stage but as a chai lover i couldn't resist ordering thier chahi served in a dainty glass cup.


Chahi "yemeny sweet milky tea"



Next we had the Kazbah Bomb! It made its appearance looking like a bomb alaska until the waiter poured kurrant vodka all over the bomb to set it alight. It is worth ordering just to witness this!


Kazbah bomb for two, turkish delight ice cream, blueberries, flamed with kurrant vodka





The kazbah bomb was a turkish delight flavoured ice cream encased in a film of fluffly meringue served with blueberries. It was a dessert for two but actually satisfied all three of us with some left over.



The tiramisu on the other hand can be given a miss. I literally took a scoop of it and then pushed it to one side. The waiter actually said he was going to warn me not to order the tiramisu when he saw i only took one spoonful, but obviously he didnt. It was definitely a poor choice!



So we walked out feeling like overblown balloons but very very merry. Paying $30 each for such a feast is unforgettable!



Kazbah
The Promenade,
Harbourside Shopping Centre Darling Harbour
Sydney
Tel - 02 9555 7067
www.kazbah.com.au

Adriano Zumbo Patissier

Im glad i came here before this year's masterchef rush! Adriano Zumbo created quite a stir last year with his croquembouche & choc mousse cake and this year he created the V8 vanilla cake....this pastry chef is quite inspirational and hence it was only a matter of time before i'd pay this patisserie a visit.

Greeted with a queue outside his shop, it is hard to miss despite being only a petite little shop. The website said this place closes at 4pm but it was still open when we lined up at 5pm, but no doubt, most of the cakes and pastries were already gone. Adriano Zumbo also sells savoury pastries like quiches and also sourdough and baguettes.

We selected the tarte aux fruits de la passion, which is essentially a passionfruit creme tart. It was beautifully presented with the glossy top layer, dual coloured creme and passionfruit seeds decorating the top.

If you think it looks great, it tastes even better! The creme was so light that it slides like liquid in your mouth. The tart was thin, sugary and cracks when you bite into it. Only problem is it was definitely too small!! Seriously could have ate 3 in one go.

We also ordered the Pavnutchestrasp - a chestnut and olive oil cake with rasberry pavlova and chestnut pieces. We couldn't resist the pavlova and was instantly savage with our fingers. The pavlova had a fabulously crunchy exterior with a mashmallowy centre rich in berry flavour. The macaroons speak for itself - crumbles on impact but chewy and moist in the middle but not too sweet that you feel sick. The cake was quite dense with chestnut chunks throughout.

Expect long queues outside the shop, especially after the hype with the V8 cake. I suggest going early (they open at 8am) as i have been told they have sold out by 3pm.

Adriano Zumbo Patissier

296 Darling St

Balmain NSW 2041

Tel (02) 9810 7318