Sydney Eat Street: Must-try truffle desserts hit the sweet spot
If you love truffles in your savoury dishes, the speciality desserts on offer at restaurants across Sydney will surely blow you away — or mix it up with a dish like truffle soft serve and hot chips.
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As cold months of truffle season begin to wrap up, save room for dessert and some of these sweet spots.
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Hello Auntie
Even the most discerning gourmand is curious when menus tout a “contemporary twist” but for every venue that boasts of borderline futurist offerings, there are those taking a literal approach — simply by offering restaurant-quality versions of what its customers are already eating.
At Hello Auntie, chef/owner Cuong Nguyen’s interpretation lies somewhere between modern Vietnamese dishes inspired by his Southeast Asian heritage and the diverse flavours of native ingredients.
Throughout August, Nguyen and head chef Felipe Aguila Salazar are showcasing truffles — one of winter’s most prized possession — with a limited-edition menu that includes egg noodles and crispy pork with a rich truffle sauce, and wild mushroom truffle ragu with Sebago hand-cut chips.
There are also snack-sized offerings and truffle cocktails but be sure to save room for dessert: Banh Truffle Pho Mai, a truffle-infused take on their Basque cheesecake, and the deliciously inventive Banh Artichoke Nam Truffle, a moist torte with spiced Jerusalem artichoke, truffle, truffle frosting, and what else, a generous helping of truffle on top.
— 278 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville/16 Nicole Walk, Darling Square, Haymarket; hello-auntie.com.au
Devon Cafe
It seems as if dishes are showing up everywhere, from food trucks to fine-dining; it’s hard to believe that these musky morsels were once relegated to hundred-dollar dishes at white-linen restaurants, but that all changed nine years ago when Surry Hills’ Asian-fusion cafe, Devon launched a limited-edition truffle menu proving to Sydneysiders that you needn’t be a black card holder to enjoy “black gold”.
Their truffle offerings have grown since that first endeavour, the cult-favourite Ultimate Toastie, a truffle-ised take on their classic toastie but with sauteed mushrooms, kombu butter, truffle scrambled eggs, melted cheese and fresh truffle.
As Devon expanded — opening in Barangaroo and North Sydney — so did the menu. Access to premium ingredients allowed them to create more indulgent savoury dishes and desserts, including the Truffle Sundae — a waffle cone filled with truffle-infused soft-serve, sea salt, and honey, topped with frosted cornflakes and shaved truffle; and the DD Special — salty hot chips and truffle soft serve.
“The Truffle Sundae and DD special are now staples that do not go out of fashion,” Devon’s executive chef Zachary Tan (ex-Bistro Guillaume) says.
“Who wouldn’t love a truffle sundae? There’s Hokkaido soft serve infused with real truffle, served with a waffle cone, house-made truffle honey and paired with the crunch of cornflakes. It’s so easy to like”.
But it’s the DD special that’s Tan’s vice.
“It’s nostalgic. We utilise nostalgia. Hot chips and soft serve have always been a crazy pairing I used to do at Maccas after school. It’s the play with duality, sweet and savoury as well as hot and cold.”
Available at both Devon locations throughout truffle season.
— 36 Blue St, North Sydney; 19/200 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo; devoncafe.com.au
Sweet Belem
Regarding dessert, custard tarts are always a good option, but once you’ve had Sweet Belem’s Free Range Portuguese tarts, you now know that theirs is your only option going forward.
Humble and rustic-looking, this pastry’s appearance belies the skill and expertise involved in its production; the dough alone is a 72-hour process.
The rich custard itself is a balanced mix of sugar and egg yolk; it’s an old family recipe that’s been passed down to co-owner Jose Silva (bibo Wine Bar, Guillaume), who explains that the real difference between their tarts is a result of the locally-farmed free-range eggs.
Not surprisingly, that truffled free-range eggs make for a truly decadent delight, even more so when the tart is topped with a slice of fresh black truffle. While Silva’s Portuguese tarts are worth a trip on their own, this year, he’s partnered with chef Jacqueline Ektoros (Three Williams, Bistro Guillaume) to create a range of truffle treats, including Sweet Belem’s black truffle custard vanilla slice, and a brioche doughnut filled with truffled crème pat and finished with truffle shavings.
The truffle range is only available Friday-Sunday throughout August (or until truffle supplies run dry). But, trust us, it’s well worth the wait.
— 35B New Canterbury Rd, Petersham; sweetbelem.com.au
Handpicked Wines Cellar Door
After you’ve worked your way through the savoury side of the truffle menu, a little walk may be in order.
If you happen to be around Chippendale, stroll straight to Handpicked Wine’s Cellar Door for a truffle treat that’ll round out your meal.
While they’re known for their wine tastings, you can also sit down to enjoy a glass with cheese and charcuterie platters, or throughout truffle season, you can enjoy something truly memorable: a scoop of truffle-infused gelato from authentic Italian gelataria, MAPO Newtown, topped with shaved truffle (from the instore Madame Truffles pop-up), and a glass of port.
Or you can try the Brillat Savarin, triple cream cheese with a layer of shaved truffle through the middle. Or, since the coveted black gold only makes its round once a year, you might as well get both.
— 50 Kensington St, Chippendale; handpickedwines.com.au/urban-cellar-door
SOUL Deli
It’s got all your cafe classics, but at SOUL Deli, you’ll also find a menu dotted with contemporary Korean-influenced offerings, and truffle season is no exception.
Switch up your java fix with the Truffle Dirty Nutty Latte, a popular South Korean drink made with espresso, whipped peanut butter, and for the next month or so, topped with truffles.
Sticking to the sweet side while you’re there, order a truffle choux, a crunchy cookie crust topped with truffle-infused cream.
— 185 Campbell St, Surry Hills; souldining.com.au
SOUL Dining
There’s only one month left to try all the truffle dishes around town, but just in case you missed it, SOUL Dining’s take on a popular Korean dessert, the Truffle Makgeolli Bingsu, is a must-add to your tick list.
This shaved ice treat (bingsu) is typically topped with condensed milk, chopped fruit, and red beans, but at SOUL, their adult version is made with milky rice wine (Makgeolli) and crowned with black gold.
— 204 Devonshire St Surry Hills; souldining.com.au
NOMAD
Featuring dishes inspired by the flavours, techniques and produce of Spain, Morocco, and the Middle East, NOMAD has garnered a legion of fans with its polished approach to the regional specialties that make up its lunch and dinner menu.
But come Sunday, it’s the brunch that gets all the attention, and throughout truffle season, they’re offering a special ala carte menu dedicated to the diamond of the kitchen with 2g of Manjimup, WA Black Truffle added to the selected dishes such as three cheese manoush and wood-roasted mushrooms with Jerusalem artichokes.
Save room for the sweet side as the pecan cookie & olive oil ice cream sandwich and black sesame & olive oil bombe Alaska also get the royal treatment.
Available Sunday, 10am-12pm. Bookings essential.
— 16 Foster St, Surry Hills; nomad.sydney
MODE Kitchen & Bar
At MODE, a chic Italian-centric kitchen and bar near The Rocks, there’s an element of nostalgia that comes with executive chef Francesco Mannelli’s annual truffle degustation menu.
“I have fond memories as a child growing up in Florence hunting truffles with my father’s friend and his dog,” he says.
He learned early on that the earthy smell and flavour of the season’s bounty paired well with pasta and hearty meats, and it’s this insight, along with his vast experience, that inspired each item on the menu, including the black truffle risotto Parmigiano and 500g wagyu ribeye with fresh black truffle & veal jus, and the black truffle tiramisu for dessert.
For those just after the sweet treat, you can also order the tiramisu ala carte. Be quick, though, as the truffle dishes are only available through mid-August.
— 199 George St, Ground floor, Four Seasons Hotel, Sydney; modekitchenandbar.com.au
WHAT’S FRESH
MakMak Macaron
Considering Sydney’s love affair with sweet treats, it’s quite an accomplishment to have been dubbed the city’s Best Macarons.
At MakMak, their macarons are made-to-order (yes, that means ordering online 24-hours in advance) using only premium ingredients, including fresh fruits and native Australian ingredients, including truffles.
Throughout August (or while supplies last), MakMak has partnered with Madame Truffles and created a truffle and hazelnut macaron ($13 for three).
Order them online for next-day pick-up or swing by Madame Truffles’ pop-up shop Wednesday-Sunday in Chippendale.
— 272 Cleveland St, Surry Hills; makmak.com.au
Winter warmers to celebrate the season
Everyone is happy to see the sun peeking through the clouds, but winter’s not all bad. Bid farewell to the colder days with one last hurrah of warming fare.
Sniffing out Sydney’s best truffle desserts
Save the best for last. As truffle season comes to a close, be sure to indulge in some sweet treats featuring the annual earthy gem.