I’d originally wanted to head to Azuma. There were boxes at Azuma – two whole boxes of dessert for the princlely sum of $20. But I was already borderline full, and the short walk from Darling Harbour to George Street hadn’t aided my digestion as much as I’d hoped.

A pause. A collecting of thoughts. And then a small grin. “We could” I pondered out aloud “go to the Swissotel…”

My mind had briefly crossed to the Grace Hotel, but I was parked closer to Town Hall and had no idea I’d end up wandering the streets and staring at birdcages til the early hours of the morning.

We didn’t have a booking and we didn’t know what would be in store – but it didn’t matter, for we were seated almost before the words “Sugar Hit?” had rolled out of our mouths.

Within minutes, a plate had arrived.

To the left, a white chocolate and raspberry layered mousse cake with layers of tart red berry, smooth and subtle white chocolate mousse and the slight resistance of a white chocolate rubble at its top and base.

To the right, a dark chocolate and pistachio ganache, set in the form of a headless pyramid.

And at the back, an airy, light and not-too-sweet white chocolate mousse that I was initially unimpressed with until Oh! Berries! Champagne glazed berries! Hidden under the snowy white mousse layer! And this was my favourite element of the three, despite my general white-chocolate-suspicion.

We were offered the choice of a glass of Brown Brothers Zibibbo or a Hennessy Cognac cocktail, which (to my memory) involved a squeeze of lime and a dash of ginger beer.

Adventurous as I may be at times, I chose the former and thoroughly enjoyed the sweet, fruity flavour and the lack of botrytis (which I find leaves a rather unpleasant aftertaste on the tongue). I must admit, though, that I had a momentary twinge of regret when I saw the fizzy brownish-gold liquid that was transported to a nearby table in a whisky balloon. So grown up! So classy!

And as the evening rolled on, plates were cleansed, headless pyramids of chocolate and pistachio ganache were donated (“This is far too rich for me and I won’t eat it… will you?” “Oh no, you have it.” “You’ve just scraped all of the chocolate decoration off your plate. Don’t pretend you don’t want it.” “Well, if you insist.”) and off we wandered into the night to uncover forgotten songs and a birch forest that continued as far as the eye can see.

Swissôtel Sydney
68 Market Street
Sydney NSW 2000
ph: 02 9238 7082

This Sugar Hit will be served from 9pm to 11pm for the month of October 2009.

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