Efendy, Balmain
One day not so very long ago, I was asked if I liked Turkish desserts. Immediately visions of baklava and Turkish Delight filled my head and so one glorious Saturday morning the boy and I headed for Efendy (79 Elliott St, Balmain)
We arrived at 1pm and I can’t resist ordering the champagne cocktail ‘Vishnosa’ (06 Quadrant Impressario Blanc de Blanc, muddled sour cherries and sour cherry juice, $11) which arrives all pretty in pink. It is bubbly and still sweet under the sour cherries, making it one delicious drink. Noods has chosen the sour cherry juice ($4) and downs it just as fast.
The breakfast menu is until 2pm on weekends and I’ve had the biggest craving for halloumi all week that I had to order the Hellim – Poached eggs, grilled halloumi, asparagus, tomatoes ($16). The halloumi are 3 fat pillows of squeaky awesome cheese. Seriously look at those fat babies. I like my halloumi in fat wodges instead of anemic looking rectangles and was tempted to order another plate of halloumi to scarf but resisted knowing there were much desserts to be had.
Ooh wait had to get in a porn shot of the poached eggs oozing sexily onto the Turkish bread after stabbing em.
Noods has opted for the Cokertme Kebabi – Chargrilled Rock Valley veal backstrap medallions, jus soaked Turkish bread croutons, isekender sauce, suzme yoghurt ($26). The rosemary tree sticking out so proudly has the boy chuckling but then he doesn’t say anything for the next couple of minutes as he demolishes everything in sight. I sneak some veal when he isn’t watching and it is fabulously tender.
And then… the moment I have been waiting for… dessert time!
Baklava ($12) arrives as a trio of desserts so beautifully presented I don’t know where to begin. The baklava is impressive- 42 layers of hand rolled flaky pastry! Made onsite, the baklava is incredible, the layers of filo melts away and the layer of crushed walnuts has me fighting the boy for the second piece. The cigars of pistachio baklava are a vivid green and taste like 100 pistachio babies had given up their souls to create such an intense (double rainbow!) pistachio creation.
The pretty blue bowl held gullach, a traditional dessert made of thin layers of pastry sheets soaked in milk and rose water, decorated with ruby red pomegranate seeds. Our serene waiter explains that it is a popular dessert at Ramadan which starts next Wednesday and continues for 30 days.
The Irmik ($12), is a dense semollina dessert and as far as I/Google know, the Maras ice cream is served on the side (someone correct me if I’m wrong) and Efendy has created a version where the semolina encases a ball of the stretchy ice cream.
Innards! Little melty because I was busy taking pics of the other desserts lol my bad but it’s still good it’s still good! Chewing the Maras ice cream is strangely addictive because it melts as you chew!
Our last dessert is the Kazandibi ($12) hee look at those pillows of caramelised puddings! The kazandibi is slightly chewy, like mochi and is almost overshadowed by the incredible hazelnut ice cream. I heart hazelnut desserts oh yes.
Nearing explodey point we managed to polish off our desserts mmm
Cute little cups of Turkish apple tea and Turkish Delight rounds off our meal and we stumble happily out the door.
Chocolatesuze and Noods dined as guests of Efendy
