In the heart of Sydney’s bustling suburb Alexandria, is a
corner block that is somewhat a cross between a small European village and
scenes from the movie “The Secret Garden”- especially today as I am here on a
very rainy day (it just makes it all the more magical).
As soon as you set foot inside The Grounds you certainly escape reality for a moment.
My first stop was the Italian Delicatessen Salts Meats Cheese . It was stocked full to the brim with delicious
goodies!
There were an array of assorted preserved meats and cheese.
Along with shelves (yes I said shelves) of chocolate from
all over Europe. My favourite was this collection from Germany, what great
packaging to grab a consumer’s attention- it definitely worked on me.
I was surprised to
see all the different flavoured salts on offer there was even Merlot flavoured
salt… I couldn’t help but wonder how these different flavours could be used in
my baking to bring a sweet and savoury element together. I have jotted this down as a must try on my
to-do list!
As I continued on through The Grounds there was plenty of
inspiration around for cake decorating with beautiful flowers and fury friends.
Once I reached the heart of The Grounds I knew I was in
heaven!
So many different desserts and cakes to choose from!
Chocolate filled donuts and croissants, mini croquembouche, polenta cake, mille-feuille, pisatcio encrusted brownies
and seriously the list goes on.
It was extremely
difficult to choose and as much as I wanted to try one of everything my
waistline simply would not allow (It was already suffering from the redskin
macarons I had from Baked Patisserie yesterday)!!!
So after much
deliberation I chose the Salted Chocolate Caramel Tart. I think to
describe it as amazing is an understatement.
The chocolate was so soft and melted in your mouth and the caramel just oozed with every bite, the touch of salt you got every now and then took it to the next level. As I write that overall this Salted Caramel Chocolate tart was a 10 and it was perfection because it was not too sweet, I think I may qualify as a judge on the next series of My Kitchen Rules!
At some point I need to get in the kitchen to try recreating
this tart, it would be an awesome way to finish off a dinner party.
Dessert aside I needed something to drink… what could be
better than good old fashioned lemonade with a twist? My rose lemonade was like drinking Turkish Delight! I wanted to stay at The Grounds forever,
my other half and children said I wasn't allowed (insert long gloomy face). 
The landscaping in this place is unreal that alone is worth checking this place out.
Obviously the gardens are commercially made and The Grounds is a fairly new place (it opened in 2012), but some areas, such as this old greenhouse that appears strangled by the passionfruit vines looks as though it has been there overgrown and rust for years.
So sitting in my enchanted green house, what better way to finish off my meal than with a gourmet cheese burger! (You always start with dessert first when you’re a cake decorator right)?
The Grounds holds various fresh food market days, barista courses and other boutique events. It even has facilities to hold your next function... something I will be keeping in mind.
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