Victoria’s Cakes, Sutherland

What’s better than a gorgeous piece of artwork and an mindblowingly delicious piece of food ?

A combination of the two ?

Did I hear anyone say fondant cake ?

Despite its orgasmic appearance, I would be the first one to admit that fondant cakes are not exactly to my taste. Sugar icing that’s thick and not so sweet is something that, perhaps if given the chance, I would steer clear of !

Having said that, browsing for cakes for my birthday this year, I found the most amazing fondant cake bakery online in the form of Victoria’s Cakes.

 

Hazelnut cake base with strawberries & a chocolate mud cake – $160 + $10 (for a layer of fresh fruit) + $40 delivery (pick up available)

May I just say that this bakery absolutely put my world upside down in changing my opinion on fondant cakes – and it is such a pity that it is operates solely online!

Victoria was absolutely amazing in terms of catering to my request, and was lovely enough to bake a spare green fondant mud cake (no photos, unfortunately!) at no extra charge, as she was worried the main cake would not be enough to serve all the guests (70 – 80 pax, and believe me, the main cake would have been more than enough!)

Not only was the cake sweet on the eye, but it was tantalising on the palate – fresh, moist, and a true star for any event !

Cake flavours ranged from chocolate to vanilla, lemon to honey, and coconut to hazelnut – and considering fondant cakes of this calibre would usually cost from $300 – $700, the price-quality rapport is definitely up there !

And as for the theme of my party ?

…I can leave you to guess that ;)

Victoria’s Cakes
Sutherland Shire
http://www.victoriascakes.com.au

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Crust Gourmet Pizza Bar – Castle Hill

When I was younger, I always loved reading books about food. Before I’d started primary school, one of my favourite books (from the Little Miss and Mr Men series) was Little Miss Plump (the one who ate twenty-three slices of toast, sixty-six sausages and twelve cups of tea for breakfast, and once ate a currant cake for breakfast, lunch & dinner). And whenever I heard the name ‘Little Miss Contrary’, I’d always think about roast beef & Yorkshire pudding 

Part of the reason my favourite HP book was Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was because that was the first time Harry went to that candy shop in Hogsmeade …And whenever I was bored, I used to always reread that Goosebumps book about the invisible human kid who was always hungry (he ate string beans and pizza) – “My Best Friend Is Invisible”. …until my sister sold my entire Goosebumps collection for $20.

Clearly, I was a really cool kid.

But speaking of pizza, a new gourmet pizza bar opened in Castle Hill recently, and I’ve been dyiiiing to try it out ever since.

 

guilt-free pizza!!! There’s something a little strange about getting gourmet pizza in a takeaway box …but anywaaaay.
Apparently Crust’s pizzas were recognised in the 2009 Slimming & Health magazine for Healthy Eating Awards …LOL! They also have a selection of ‘Healthier Choice’ pizzas that apparently received the Heart Foundation TICK ! I will definitely try these next time :D

 

Gourmet Smoked Ham & Pineapple – $16 M
Smoked Ham, Pineapple, Roma Tomatoes & Brie, topped with fresh basil

My mum wanted to get this one, which just sounded like a fancier version of Hawaiian (which it actually is).  Hilly mountains of pineapple pieces, tomato slices and strips of tasty smoked ham, drowning in melted cheese that you chew your way through XD yummm
The basil tasted like ROCKET SALAD to me (i.e. grass), but having tomato on a Hawaiian pizza is surprisingly nice !

 

A close up of the oily goodness XD yumm . If you’re not a fan of pizza, you’ll probably feel grossed out by these photos, hahaha.
that cheese looks like you could swim in it

 

Shepherd’s Pie (15 inch) – $23
White cheese base, slow cooked braised lamb in red wine sauce, potato puree, garnished with a parmesan crust and parsley

This pizza was one of the WOW factors of eating at Crust’s, and definitely part of the reason why I want to go again (just so I can see what the other pizzas look like) !
Little meringue-shaped mounds of fluffy mashed potato puree and a thin crispy crust. The first thing I could taste was just CHEESE, but the lamb was ORGASMIC =9 ..and for those of you that aren’t alcoholics (I know I’m not), not to worry ! :D I couldn’t taste the red wine sauce at allllll.

 

And did I mention how CUTE it was that each slice of Shepherd’s Pie pizza had its own dollop of potato puree?

 

Potato igloos patiently waiting to be relocated to eager stomachs XD

 

We also ordered salad, which came in this convenient bright green box! Although the label kind of made me think that it was pre-made ages ago, lo and behold XD

 

Roma Tomato, Bocconcini & Basil – $7.50

Mmmm…garden fresh ! Crispy greens, juicy tomato slices and what I think was probably strips of basil! Crust also gives you a sachet of balsamic vinaigrette (olive oil, balsamic vinegar and whatnot) to add at your own discretion
The white blobs were pieces of bocconcini – spongy blobs of cheese that look like mushrooms and are made from water buffalo and cow’s milk!

What’s great about this place is FREE local delivery (though I wonder what happens if you order and you don’t live within their vicinity ..but I guess since it’s a franchise you can call elsewhere)

The aptly named Crust also makes really nice, crunchy crusts for their pizzas XD Not that it really matters, considering most people don’t eat their crusts anyway.
Next time I want to try the calzone (folded pizzas! can you imagine a pizza sandwich?)
If you look at the online menu, it just makes you want to droool …and I could probably spend hours reading it over and over again (like I did with my favourite books in primary school -_-)

 
Crust Gourmet Pizza Bar – Castle Hill (v. 02/05/09)
Shop 2 / 297 Old Northern Road (corner of Crane Road)
Castle Hill NSW 2154
Ph: (02) 9649 3300
Fax: (02) 9659 0007
http://www.crust.com.au

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