Comments on: Sydney's macarons, Adriano Zumbo, and a few other eating observations

By: Duncan

Duncan — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 05:37:48 +0000

@Mike: no, I haven't, but the feedback I've had from a few people has been quite mixed. I can't judge beyond that.

WARNING: I'm noticing an increase in attempted comments "innocently" mentioning a single manufacturer. In some cases these are blatant attempts at advertising, and recently someone affiliated with [EDITED due to further spam from the shop mentioned, name now deleted] in Melbourne attempted a particularly underhanded method to get multiple mentions posted here. As a result, that business will NEVER be mentioned on this site ever again and any comment by anyone mentioning them will be edited to remove that business's name. Got it, slimy PR people?

I hope that Mike, above, is a genuine commenter.

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 02:21:22 +0000

Have you tried the Macarons at Baroque Bistro Patisserie or their sister Patisserie La Renaissance? I'd be interested to hear how they match up to the others in your opinion.

By: Viv

Viv — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:27:17 +0000

Hi Duncan

Yes, I can only say that once I'd tasted the macarons in Paris, I was in love! It was a revelation. (Just like those sweet steamed dumplings/buns I tasted at the Heidelberg Christmas Markets, although less refined, which incidentally no one seems to know about back home in Sydney.) Suddenly I was bestowed with the knowledge that it was *always* the way it was meant to be. They just tasted right, like they had a purpose. Yes, the slightest give of crunch draws your bite into the soft almond meringue and the intensely fruity filling. (Of course there are other flavours.) As a Sydney girl, I was not prepared for fruit fillings to taste like anything but jam. So confused by the burst of flavour I wanted to confirm my suspicion of real fruit puree of sort so I dutifully downed another two whole macarons before verbalising my delight to my companion.

Now everytime I spot a macaron I feel a hint of excitement that's spiked with much dread. What if it's not what it claims to be? I can only handle so much disappointment. Ah, Lindt's and Zumbo's versions were both too sweet and their shells too hard. La Renaissance (The Rocks) was no better. Over the last six months I've tried a few from Bacco Pasticceria (Chifley Plaza Sydney) and they were passable (and cheap at $1.50) and only once had it been a big disappointment. Quite to my annoyance it was when I brought a friend there for coffee. So my search continues.

Lastly, just want to thank you for your amazing blog. I couldn't believe my luck when I found it. I love reading other people's food experience but stumbling on this wealth of knowledge gets me so excited I think it's going to give me insomnia!

Here's to many late nights.

By: EMMELYN

EMMELYN — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:14:29 +0000

hi Duncan!
thanks for the reply on the macaron books, im going to Sydney on Saturday til next week n will def check out all the macaron places u mentioned and plus the food market etc…oh lovely. Made a really cool peach macaron yesterday with lovely montage, check it out ya!

By: Duncan

Duncan — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:09:52 +0000

@Anonymous: thanks for that information. I welcome enthusiastic commentary and info, don't get me wrong, but your choice of words is unusual for a typical independent commenter, so it reads very much like promotion. If you are genuine and want to leave a further comment you'll just need to contact me to explain why you want to be anonymous. Sorry to be tough about this.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:43:37 +0000

I agree! Good macarons are very difficult to find in Sydney, Australia. However 'Patisserie New York' in Caringbah have by far what I would decalre the best macarons in town. They are delectable and mouthwatering, yet unfortunately only come in a limited (and rather tame) variety of flavours:( For instance you have all your basics; strawberry, chocolate, vanilla, lemon, passionfruit and maybe (and I exemplify the maybe) on a slightly more adventurous note, pistachio.
Yet I must say, that upon encountering Zumbo's macarons, I was rather intrigued and pleasantly pleased by his green apple macaron. Aesthetically it was divine, its colour was that of a fresh crisp granny smith apple and thankfully I encountered no hollow shell. However I must admit that the ganache while still encompassing a very distinct green apple flavour did taste rather 'off', like it was apple flavoured blue cheese. Consequently to my utter delight blue cheese was actually a macaron on the menu; take that for innovative!
I heavily encourage all avid foodies to try a macaron from 'Patisserie New York'. I am certain that you will not be dissapointed. Foodies honour!

By: essjayeats

essjayeats — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 11:33:54 +0000

Hi Duncan,

Bought macarons today and thought of you! hah!

Lindt Concept store in Collins street.

http://www.essjay.com.au/?p=278

Cheers

By: essjayeats » Blog Archive » Eating: Lindt Macarons

essjayeats » Blog Archive » Eating: Lindt Macarons — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 08:47:15 +0000

[...] Lindt don't call their little cakes macarons, on no, they call them "Delice's" but they have a large sign up telling us that they are macarons, but they call them Delice's? So what's the point? Is the word macaron trademarked? Did their marketing department come a cropper over whether to pronounce is "macaron" or "macaroon" or are they trying to avoid detection by Duncan? [...]

By: phoebe

phoebe — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:58:07 +0000

came across your blog in a best macarons in sydney search.
i know this is an old post, but thought i should comment, there are lovelyy macarons in a sweet bakery in paddington (across the road from oportos) which is more kingcross because its really close to cocacola sign im not sure what the place is called nor am i sure the street name
but they where amazing, i had a chocolate one, lovely!

By: Peter

Peter — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:56:55 +0000

I think the macarons at Belle Fleur's new (second)chocolate shop on ugly Parramatta Road in Petersham (park in Palace St) are much better than Zumbo's. The shopgirl told me that an
in-house Frenchman makes them. Small size,
nice appearance, the flavours I've tried are pistachio, grapefruit/vodka and blueberry with
an unusual filling. The only other good macarons I've had were in Tokyo and Kamakura, Japan.
I haven't been to France – yet.