5 August 2013

Sweet Tooth Mapping in Canberra?

| Tim Kelly
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Righto hive mind, I’m hunting three items and am hoping some of you will be able to point me in the right direction.

Item 1 – Cannoli. So far, I’ve been able to find them at Tusmo, in Forde, but only occasionally and sometimes only in the soft-shell variety, which don’t count as far as I am concerned. Might as well just buy a donut. Have also seen one once or twice at Michel’s Patisserie at Majura Park, but there the shell was coated with chocolate which (a little surprisingly) ruined the experience for me. Also didn’t help that it was clearly brought in from elsewhere so had a bit of that lack of freshness that time in a cool-store can deliver.

Item 2 – Brandy Snaps. I blame The Great Australian Bake Off for this one, as my wife uttered the words “I’ve never had one of those” after seeing them made there, and that is a situation that simply must not continue. Any location that sells them, whether eat-in or take away, is appreciated.

Item 3 – A single serve lemon meringue pie. Note the qualifier of a single serve – Zouki Cafe at Calvary in Bruce have had these off and on. I am certain they do not make them themselves, and they are brought in from a central supply. I want to know if anyone has seen them on sale elsewhere. Parking at Calvary is just ridiculous. Unlike the cannoli above, they don’t seem to suffer from the transport. As a single serve, the ratio of meringue to case to tart filling is just right. No towering meringue that collapses on cutting or reveals itself to be a whipped up illusion when served here.

Thanks for your contributions.

Except those of you who are tempted to post “just make them at home” – you guys, leave off, ok? I geddit its better/cheaper whatever – what it isn’t, is more convenient. That (and more craftsmanship than I bring to the table) is what I am hunting.

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The Flute in Barrier St Fyshwick have awesome cakes including lemon meringue pies and Dream Cuisine in Whyalla St make amazing macaroons.

Roundhead89 said :

Every time I hear about lemon merengue pie I think about the comic strip in MAD Magazine where a guy says “What do you mean you’re saving that lemon merengue pie for your sister. Let me have it!”. The next frame shows him with the pie on his head.

Yes, it’s amazing that Cracked does so well given that classics like that once amused us all.

Merengue, by the way, is a ballroom dance, characterised by a stiff-legged, limping step.

Madam Cholet said :

I don’t have a sweet tooth, but I love lemon meringue pie – as long as it’s made correctly. My auty used to make it with a sponge flan base which I think I preferred. Anyway, I digress…have you tried Brunos in Mawson for the cannoli and brandy snaps? Although really, you can probably pick up brandy snaps at the supermarket. Costco also does a fine line in desserts, so might be worth a check.

Every time I hear about lemon merengue pie I think about the comic strip in MAD Magazine where a guy says “What do you mean you’re saving that lemon merengue pie for your sister. Let me have it!”. The next frame shows him with the pie on his head.

Autolyse in Braddon has single serve lemon meringue. I also bought one just last Saturday at the Farmers Market at EPIC, but couldnt tell you the name of the stall. The Autolyse one was better from memory, although my son ate most of both of them. I’m not sure whether Autyolyse have them as standard or just when they feel like it; they also make lemon meringue pie/cake by the slice

Sfoglia has great cannoli, as mentioned by several.

Are you sure you wouldn’t be tempted by a recipe? Brandy snaps have just four ingredients.

While you are here – does anyone know where to buy frozen bao (http://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/recipe-search/feature-recipe/2013/1/gua-bao-with-braised-pork-ribs/)

Masquara said :

Single serve of lemon meringue pie: National Library Bookplate. But don’t touch their coffee! It’s the worst coffee in Canberra.

Now there’s a claim…

caf said :

Sfoglia in Dickson make their own Italian pastries, including Cannoli.

Thanks caf, will have to take a look in there. Its funny, now that you mention them I realize I’ve asked this question before as I can recall being recommended to go there but have still never been!

As to Bruno’s – It’s odd. I had thought that I had already been to Bruno’s and wasn’t that impressed with them. But looking them up on the map, I realize where I went was actually the Hanzel and Gretel on Townshend Street in Phillip… my geography is off. Will have to give both them and the bakery another look. Anyone know if either is open on a Saturday?

I had thought about just buying some brandy snaps and whipping up some cream, but when introducing the concept wanted to start at the high end and work backwards. Kind of like not wanting to do a frozen bake-at-home pizza when there’s woodfired pizza available nearby.

Thanks for the self-censorship Poetix 🙂

Pink little birdie – Orange Bean on the corner of Chan St/Benjamin Way? Thankyou, there’s today’s sortie.

Elizabeth Monarch said :

caf said :

Sfoglia in Dickson make their own Italian pastries, including Cannoli.

Agreed, Sfoglia has all sorts of delightful treats mmm. Trevs in Dickson also has a smaller selection of very delicious cakes and slices. Dickson is made for gourmands and goumets alike 🙂

In fact I’ve checked and they actually have both “Sicilian Cannoli” and the regular sort.

Elizabeth Monarch10:22 pm 05 Aug 13

caf said :

Sfoglia in Dickson make their own Italian pastries, including Cannoli.

Agreed, Sfoglia has all sorts of delightful treats mmm. Trevs in Dickson also has a smaller selection of very delicious cakes and slices. Dickson is made for gourmands and goumets alike 🙂

pink little birdie8:16 pm 05 Aug 13

Orange bean in Belconnen has a delicious cannoli

Single serve of lemon meringue pie: National Library Bookplate. But don’t touch their coffee! It’s the worst coffee in Canberra.

Re Item 3: If you would be happy with a slice of a big pie, they have LMP at Tilley’s. It is enormous; the white bit rising like Skywhale into the ether, but Skywhale sans trailing breasts, and more pie-y.

I have, however, never tasted it. (Blah blah blah weight loss bore bore bore.)

Pretty sure I’ve seen single-serve lemon meringue pies at the bakery at the Curtin shops, and the Kingston National Bakery would probably be worth a try too. I’m interested in the brandy snaps – I’ve never had one either!

cannoli is available from the chisholm bakery, also the italian patisserie at mawson (thanks to martyo for tipping me off about them) – but the other two items you seek, no clue.

Sfoglia in Dickson make their own Italian pastries, including Cannoli.

I would try the Italian Bakery next to Brunos in Mawson and skip Brunos altogether.

Madam Cholet2:52 pm 05 Aug 13

I don’t have a sweet tooth, but I love lemon meringue pie – as long as it’s made correctly. My auty used to make it with a sponge flan base which I think I preferred. Anyway, I digress…have you tried Brunos in Mawson for the cannoli and brandy snaps? Although really, you can probably pick up brandy snaps at the supermarket. Costco also does a fine line in desserts, so might be worth a check.

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