Zaaffran, Darling Harbour: A Food Bloggers Evening
When I received an invite to dine at Zaaffran (10 Darling Drive, Harbourside Centre, Darling Harbour) from Rush Dossa, part-owner of Zaaffran saying “We promise that all the guests will be just food bloggers… We don’t intend to invite ill-mannered, highly coiffed people with too much makeup who think that they are ‘experts in all things stylish and trendy’,” I couldn’t help but laugh because it was obvious that Rush had taken the time to do his research after this event which happened way back in April.
It was refreshing to see a restaurant owner openly embrace food bloggers and be able to put names with faces and their blogs. Rush and business partner and head chef Vikrant Kapoor are delightfully welcoming and are quick to make us feel at ease. After some pre dinner canapes, we were treated to the new 5 course BBQ Banquet ‘F’ ($54.50 per person).
Pappadums and mint dip. I love pappadums! I could totally have eaten that whole basket. And kinda did. But luckily it was magically refilled hehe
A round of pastel coloured lassi’s for the table- mango, strawberry and um salt? Considering I’m not a super big fan of yoghurt I really loved the strawberry lassi which was sweet, creamy and works wonders against the battle of chilli vs mouth
Potato-corn mini patties. Do you like the word moreish? Cos that’s what these babies were. So freaking tasty and moreish, potato nubbins embedded with kernels of delicious corn and covered in a crunchy breaded coating topped with a swirl of mild chili sauce.
Gol guppas, cute spherical shells that came with the novelty factor of seeing how much mung bean & chick pea filling I could stuff in without making the whole thing explode.
Each course came with a basket filled with piping hot naan bread. The fragrant garlic naan is demolished within seconds.
Tandoori king prawns and chicken seekh kebab.
Mushroom naan with truffle butter. I do love my mushrooms and could have eaten the naan bread as a meal on its own though I couldn’t really taste the truffle butter.
The Seasonal fried fish (barramundi) is a crispy delight until I feel the burning begin. Oh the burning! The fires of a thousand suns! It is a dry heat and I alternate mouthfuls of fish with gulps of lassi.
The Baked salmon isn’t quite as spicy despite it’s appearance and I <3 the crispy potato triangles.
A palate cleanser of Mango kulfi is a welcome breather between courses, the ice cream-like dessert is smooth and refreshing.
Eggplant. Um I really can’t remember eating this. Doo di doo…
By the time the platter of Lamb ribs and Lamb seekh kebab came out I was well and truly full.
But dessert is another matter entirely as we all know that when it comes to desserts a second emergency stomach will come to the rescue! A dessert platter arrives bearing Spire of saffron, Cardamom and roasted almonds kulfi, Dome of gulab jamun, Rose kulfi, Brandy glaze and a pyramid of kuih lapis. The spire of kulfi is impressive and is quickly toppled but I am most intrigued with the kuih lapis, a layer cake which is one of my favourites and eat layer by layer.
Mmm delicious carnage.
Chocolatesuze dined as a guest of Zaaffran Darling Harbour.
