La Renaissance Patisserie & Cafe

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Happy New Year! A mini-review for the start of the year, I look forward to many culinary adventures to come in 2016.

La Renaissance Patisserie & Cafe is one of my favourite spots to have a cake and a coffee. Nestled in The Rocks very close to the waters, this little patisserie boasts a quiet, hidden courtyard to catch up with friends, beautiful cakes, and some of the best macaroons in Sydney.

The Zulu is one of La Renaissance's signature cakes, and many food blogs have included it in their list of must-try salted caramel desserts in Sydney.

Zulu

It is a chocolate mousse dome encasing a dark chocolate and salted caramel ganache, with little malt pearls floating inside. I didn't find the salted caramel portion prominent at all, but it is definitely there. It's a dessert more for chocolate lovers than salted caramel lovers; and it is very rich. Don't let the description of 'mousse' fool you, this is one substantial dessert, there is nothing light or airy about it. However, I appreciated how beautifully the chocolate has been tempered, and the consistency of this dessert is creamy is satisfying. Next time, I would share with a friend.

Zulu
My friend informs me that La Renaissance also makes the best fruit tarts. La Renaissance makes great pastry - crumbly yet not dry - and a silky, smooth custard.

Mini Strawberry Tart

Score: 4.5 / 5
A cup of coffee, a dessert, and good company - you have all the ingredients for a beautiful afternoon in a lovely courtyard. Make sure you go early, or on a quieter day, because La Renaissance only stocks once a day and items sell out quickly on weekends!
Cost: worth it. An individual cake costs $10.50; the macaroons $3.80.
Address: 47 Argyle St, The Rocks
Website: larenaissance.com.au 

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