Breakfast

Dream Cuisine Vanilla Slice

Regular readers of Yummy Lummy know of my deep seated love of vanilla slice. Last year I took a driving holiday to Geelong and back and much of that trip focussed on my favourite pastry.This is a photograph of Dream Cuisine Vanilla Slice

Last week twenty Canberra Food Bloggers took a trip to Fyshwick (better known for Australia’s pornography industry, brothels and sex shops) to visit Owen at Dream Cuisine and enjoy his pastries. At the time Owen mentioned that his vanilla slice isn’t a constant feature because they are a little labour intensive and he needs a full complement of staff if he’s going to make them available. He did hint though he may have some ready for this week.

While I was at work yesterday (Friday) I thought I’d give Dream Cuisine a call to see if I should plan a Saturday breakfast in Fyshwick. Owen answered the telephone and said he would get his chefs to prepare some for Saturday. I was stoked.

So this morning I head out to try Owen’s Dream Cuisine vanilla slice. Would it be good? Would it compare with my favourites? Who knows, either way, I knew that the Myrtleford Butter Owen uses and his amazing custard would make me happy. I was pretty confident I’d like Owen’s version because he mentioned caramelised pastry. In my mind that would at least put it into the Gumnut Patisserie league.

So when I arrived there they were in the display case. Four slices of happiness with “Dream” written in icing sugar on the top piece of pastry.

I asked for a flat white coffee and a single slice.

This is a photograph of Dream Cuisine Vanilla Slice

When I checked in using the swarm app I become Mayor of Dream Cuisine 

 

This is a photograph of Dream Cuisine Vanilla Slice, coffee and Bundaberg raw sugar

 

I always like to see Bundaberg sugar at a cafe or restaurant. In my mind it’s the best sugar in Australia and helps me think of my maternal grandparents.

So what did I think of Owen’s Dream Cuisine vanilla slice? As I mentioned on Instagram, it was sensationally dreamy. This is a show piece vanilla slice. There’s no way a Victorian could call this a snot block and if a Victorian did call it a snot block and I was Owen I’d be insulted. Does it meet my expectations for a good vanilla slice? Yes and no. Yes, this is delicious. The caramelised pastry was crisp and sweet and full bodied in flavour. The custard was delicate. It was sweet but not too sweet and it had the right amount of vanilla. All together it was fabulous. But no it’s not my perfect vanilla slice because this is a fancy pastry that tastes really good. For me, my perfect vanilla slice has all this flavour but it also has the right texture and consistency. I want that caramelised pastry to be firm but not soggy and not crisp. I want to be able to bite through it without it fracturing, it needs to break apart. A fork needs to be able to do the same thing. In my perfect vanilla slice the custard won’t squeeze out when pressure is applied to the top and bottom pastry layers either by my teeth or a fork.

I’d highly recommend Dream Cuisine’s vanilla slice to pastry lovers. If you live in Canberra, there’s no excuse, you need to visit Dream Cuisine. It’s not only in Fyshwick. If you’re visiting Canberra, put some time in your diary to make a visit, stay for a coffee and enjoy a treat. The service is great. It’s friendly and you’re served with a smile. They also have good quality containers for takeaway too.

Lake Ginninderra
Lake Ginninderra

I bought my afternoon tea while I was there.

 

This is a photograph of Dream Cuisine Vanilla Slice, lavendar macaron and salted caramel macaron

The lavender and salted caramel macarons are to die for.

Fellow Canberra Food Blogger Tales of a Confectionist also reviewed the vanilla slice

63 Racecourse Road

Today is my last day in Brisbane to help Mum after her surgery. Miss13 and Mss17 suggested 63 Racecourse Road for breakfast after their morning work out.

I’d never heard of this place but Miss17 has been here a few times and explained the menu theme changes with current events affecting Brisbane. Recently the specials were on a G20 themed menu. Currently the theme is cricket. My only concern is that whenever I eat a pulled pork burger I’m going to be thinking of Lara Bingle. 

I won't be able to eat a pulled pork burger again without thinking of Lara Bingle. That's not a good thing people. Apple iPhone 6 Plus with iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2 at 4mm and f/2.2, 1/15sec, ISO 32
I won’t be able to eat a pulled pork burger again without thinking of Lara Bingle. That’s not a good thing people. Apple iPhone 6 Plus with iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2 at 4mm and f/2.2, 1/15sec, ISO 32

I like that we can ask for good solid meals like lambs fry (that’s liver to the younger readers) which I love, poutine which I’m dying to try and of course the usual fare for breakfast and lunch.

Mmm...lambs fry Apple iPhone 6 Plus with iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2 at 4mm and f/2.2, 1/30sec, ISO 50
Mmm…lambs fry Apple iPhone 6 Plus with iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2 at 4mm and f/2.2, 1/30sec, ISO 50

On entering we’re greeted by friendly wait staff and we ask for a table and are shown to one inside. The tables are old and distressed but solid. No wobbling. The chairs are solid too. The tables are big and there’s space between the tables so you aren’t sharing your life with other people eating.

Inside 63 Racecourse Road Apple iPhone 6 Plus with iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2 at 4mm and f/2.2, 1/15sec, ISO 64
Inside 63 Racecourse Road Apple iPhone 6 Plus with iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2 at 4mm and f/2.2, 1/15sec, ISO 64
Inside 63 Racecourse Road Apple iPhone 6 Plus with iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2 at 4mm and f/2.2, 1/10sec, ISO 100
Inside 63 Racecourse Road Apple iPhone 6 Plus with iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2 at 4mm and f/2.2, 1/10sec, ISO 100

Even though I’ve eaten quite a bit since being in Brisbane and caring for Mum by feeding her and Dad, despite using the next hole in my belt I have a hankering for pancakes and bacon. Miss13 wants waffles.

The pancakes are nice, nothing special, but not stodgy which is good. They’re light and fluffy and absorb the maple syrup well. The maple syrup combined with the frozen yoghurt goes well with the pancakes.

Pancakes with bacon, maple syrup and frozen yoghurt at 63 Racecourse Road SONY ILCE-7S with E 35mm F1.8 OSS at 35mm and f/2.8, 1/60sec, ISO 320
Pancakes with bacon, maple syrup and frozen yoghurt at 63 Racecourse Road SONY ILCE-7S with E 35mm F1.8 OSS at 35mm and f/2.8, 1/60sec, ISO 320

Miss13 said she loved her waffles.

Waffles with ice cream and maple syrup at 63 Racecourse Road SONY ILCE-7S with E 35mm F1.8 OSS at 35mm and f/4, 1/60sec, ISO 640
Waffles with ice cream and maple syrup at 63 Racecourse Road SONY ILCE-7S with E 35mm F1.8 OSS at 35mm and f/4, 1/60sec, ISO 640
Pancakes with bacon, maple syrup and frozen yoghurt at 63 Racecourse Road SONY ILCE-7S with E 35mm F1.8 OSS at 35mm and f/4, 1/60sec, ISO 500
Pancakes with bacon, maple syrup and frozen yoghurt at 63 Racecourse Road SONY ILCE-7S with E 35mm F1.8 OSS at 35mm and f/4, 1/60sec, ISO 500
Mum and Dad's front door SONY ILCE-7S with E 35mm F1.8 OSS at 35mm and f/2.8, 1/60sec, ISO 2000
Mum and Dad’s front door SONY ILCE-7S with E 35mm F1.8 OSS at 35mm and f/2.8, 1/60sec, ISO 2000

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