A little local treat...

There are often times when I'm so caught up in the daily grind of Sydney city living, that I forget to relax and take a breather. I find myself busily planning work trips and looking forward to discovering new places and sampling as many foodie things as possible while away from home - so it's easy to forget what's waiting for me on my door step. On my days off, my very own neighbourhood reminds me all too quickly that I don't have to travel too far to experience sweet little wonders. What I love about my town is that the streets offer lovely places to stop for an afternoon coffee, pick up a bag of $2 apples, or succumb to that pastry that you've been eyeing out for a week.

Black Star Pastry Newtown www.blackstarpastry.com.au

In a narrow little street, just off King Street in Sydney's alternative Newtown is a wonderful little establishment named Black Star Pastry. I've only just discovered this gem over the Christmas break thanks to Faye Cahill so it would be wrong of me to tell you about all the wonderful things I've sampled there. I have been to Black Star Pastry three times now, and each of those times I have bought the same thing:

I've sampled my fair share of cake folks - that's no lie. But never ever have I experienced anything like this. Completely gluten free, each delicately flavoured morsel of this cake reminds me of my special mother and the ingredients of her heritage. It all begins with the gentle nutty flavour of the almond dacquois, layered with a stunningly fresh rose cream, fresh watermelon, finished to perfection with fresh berries, pistachios and rose petals. Reminiscent of many nights preparing Lebanese desserts with my mother in our family home.

One day I'll get around to trying many more of the offerings available at Black Star, but until the day I'm sick of being reminded of my incredible mother, I might just stick to this heavenly discovery.

Though I think I'm ready for something chocolatey. Chocolate reminds me of my mum too...