GOOD FOOD MONTH SPECIAL: Signorelli Gastronomia

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 Good Food Month, the highlight of my year, followed closely by Eurovision. If you didn't know what Good Food Month is about, I shall say 2 things: 
  1. You have definitely been missing out; and
  2. You need to get on the bandwagon ASAP.

Stop one of Good Food Month for me this year is Signorelli Gastronomia. I visited them around this time last year for a Hanging Garden of Babylon of a dessert, so needless to say I'm pretty excited about their offering this October as well.

Situated in Pyrmont Bay within the Accenture Building, Signorelli Gastronomia  boasts two impressive cellars, a cheese room stocked with local and international cheeses, and an attached shop selling all kinds of goodies to fill an Italian pantry. The service is very friendly and a little quaint - I heard a hilarious story about a friend being chastised by the maitre d' for daring to attempt purchasing proscuitto on the wrong day of the week.

I LET'S TALK CHALK AND CHEESE

3 Cheeses Platter (serves 4), approx $15pp, includes a plate of bread and a glass of red wine each
A Truffle Pecorino 
An Italian hard cheese made from ewe's milk, the pecorino can be served with pasta as a substitute for the more expensive parmigiano-reggiano. However, the percorino served at Signorelli Gastronomia is certainly not a cheap-man's parmigiano: it has black truffle as an addition (as opposed to be more traditional peppercorn); and if truffles tickle your fancy, then you're in luck: that distinctive truffle taste is strong in this crumbly hard cheese.

B Gorgonzola 
A mild, Italian blue veined cheese made from unskimmed cow's milk, the gorgonzola was served with a generous grizzle of honey, which complemented the cheese very well. This particular gorgonzola does not have much of a bite, so it would be a great introduction into blue cheeses for someone who prefers milder cheeses (like moi).

C Tallegio
The tallegio (also spelled as taleggio) combines a strong aroma with a mild flavour which is slightly fruity, making it a perfect companion to fruit (real, dried or in paste form). A very ancient cheese, the tallegio was referred to in the writings of Cicero and Pliny the Elder. Soft and creamy, this particular tallegio get a thumb up from me. 

D Overall Impression
The three cheeses selected for this event are well-balanced and all quite mild to suit all palettes - whether you are a cheese novice or a cheese aficionado. The cracker served with the cheese deserves a special mention: it is slightly crumbly and simply delicious, complementing the main attraction perfectly. Interestingly, the cheeses were served with a glass of red wine, but no complaints there!

For more information please visit
Let's Talk Chalk and Cheese


II UNDER THE SEA

Under the Sea (serves 2), $15pp

A dessert inspired by the story of The Little Mermaid (or the Australian Coastline, depending on whether you believe the official Good Food Month website or the charming waiters), this is a true dessert-god among, uh, dessert mortals?

First of all, we need to talk about the edible 'sand'. Mildly sweet, whatever-this-magical-item-is actually has the texture of real sand, except this 'sand' is both delicious and hygienic! The white 'corals' are made of nougat with the texture of a very tightly-packed yet still fluffy sponge cake. The 'pipe' of the abandoned ship in which Ariel would explore (and nurture her hoarder tendencies) is a hazelnut semi-freddo packed with candied pineapple and caramelised popcorn; and the 'seaweed' or 'waves' are slightly salted sugar crisps, with a distinctive yet unobtrusive 'umame' taste found in real seaweed.  

This veritable Symphony of Sugar is served with a Yulumba dessert wine so thick and sweet it's almost like a fruity syrup - a few of us toyed with the idea of buying a bottle and passing it around in a circle in the park, but with great difficulty and after a real inner struggle we decided to remain fit and proper instead. 

For more information, please go to

Score: 5 / 5
With such amazing food at unbelievable price, how can it be anything but 5 stars? These deals only last for the duration of October, so I would get in there quick to taste for yourself if I were you! 
Address: Ground Floor, Accenture Building, Trouton Place, Pyrmont 

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