The Unbearable Lightness of Being Hungry | A Sydney Food Blog

Black Star Pastry, Newtown

November 19th, 2008  |  Published in Uncategorized  |  3 Comments

Black Star Pastry, Newtown

Instead of gingerbread men, you can get kick-ass Ginger Ninjas ($4) at Black Star Pastry in Newtown. Yes, ninjas. They don’t come with ninja stars, but they are clad in a thick identity-disguising coat of chocolate, which is more enticing than the sparse button-only gear their traditional friends get around in.

There are many other likeable things about this squeezing-room-only bakery, now neighbours to the ever-popular Oscillate Wildly restaurant.


Orange Marmalade and Rose Petal Jam at Black Star Pastry, Newtown

You can get Toast ($4) sweetly slathered with Rose Petal Jelly, Seville Orange Marmalade or Strawberry Jam. And if you’d like any of these condiments to safeguard your breakfast table, the jams are available in cute fabric-topped jars, for $10 each.


Jam at Black Star Pastry

There are intriguing variations on sweet-tooth favourites – Elderflower Cheesecake ($5) and Mango Panna Cotta ($5) to name a few. If you need a cocoa fix, you can search out the tray of handmade chocolates. And if you need something crusty for dinner, there are stand-bys like baguettes and sourdough loaves to choose from. Sandwiches and galettes are provided for the lunchtime crowd.


Chocolate at Black Star Pastry, Newtown

The staff are very nice and patient, despite my embarrassing case of can’t-decide brain-freeze. In the end, I get a box that includes a Handmade White Chocolate with Lemon ($2), a Handmade ‘Espresso’ Chocolate ($2), Lemon Melt ($2) and Saffron Mango Shortbread ($3). I especially like the latter’s spunky strands of dried mango, all haphazardly strewn about like a rock star’s perfectly windblown hairdo.


Gingerbread ninjas and more at Black Star Pastry, Newtown

The white chocolate was fabulous – it wasn’t shriekishly sweet (as white choc can be), just creamy and lush and well-paired with the zesty lemon hit. In fact, everything I had was moment-pausingly good. I guess it’s no surprise given Black Star Pastry’s pedigree – it’s run by Christopher The, a former pastry chef at three-hatted Claude’s in Woollahra. He’s also worked at Quay (another triple-toquer) and renowned bakers, Sonoma and Victoire.

This is probably one of the star reasons why, even on a drizzly Wednesday afternoon, the bakery was buzzing with people. The flour-dusted and sugar-sprinkled treats on the shelves and counters complete the argument – this is a bakery worth crowding into. I left with my arms full and a smile on my face. Next time, I’ll just have to remember to get a Ginger Ninja for on-the-street protection …

Black Star Pastry, 277 Australia St, Newtown NSW, 2042, (02) 9557 8656

Tags: ,

3 Comments

  1. Marley says:

    Ooh I went there the other day! Had a delish chocolate and caramel tart – the pastry was chocolate and VERY short (perfect), the caramel was salty and dense, and the chocolate on top was dark, glossy and divine. Mmmm. There wasn’t much left coz it was closing time, but I did see the ginger ninjas – look forward to trying them next time! xx

  2. leetranlam says:

    Oh, that sounds awesome, Marley. That’s definitely on (very long) list of things I want to try when I go back.
    Looking forward to seeing you properly soon & hearing about your travel tales! I’m sure you had some awesome food adventures too. x

  3. Miss Honey says:

    I love this place, always end up getting more than I planned lol.

    I’ve tagged you in my blog (after being tagged by another blogger), come have a looksee, it’s fun:)

Leave a Reply to leetranlam Cancel reply

Search

About

Hi, I'm Lee Tran Lam. When not blogging with my mouth full, I'm usually writing, presenting Local Fidelity on FBi radio, making zines, producing podcasts or continually breaking promises about how I really am gonna get through my book pile one day.

All the good pictures on this blog are by photography ace (and patient boyfriend), Will Reichelt, (all the dodgy ones can be credited to me)!

The lovely banner is by friend and ultra-talented illustrator Grace Lee.

This site redesign was made possible by the next-level generosity and expertise of Daniel Boud, whose code-tinkering ways are only outranked by his seriously inspired way with a camera.

You can read more about my co-conspirators here.

This is a blog I do for pure fun and zero influence – there's no sponsorship, sneaky advertorial or advertising. I pay for all the food mentioned, 'cos it seems the ethical thing to do.


About

This is a blog about eating and drinking in Sydney, Australia (with the odd cross-border or off-topic detour). BYO appetite.

Subscribe via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Search